About Big Buddha Phuket Today
Big Buddha Phuket sits at the top of Nakkerd Hill, 45 metres tall, covered in white Burmese marble. You can see it from most beaches in the south. I watched them build it between 2002 and 2004. Back then, it was just scaffolding and a dirt road that tested your suspension and driving skills, especially on the way down!
Big Buddha is still closed
The Big Buddha reopened on the first days of January 2026… but just for a short time, creating confusion and a rush of tourists up the hill to get a chance to approach the immense statue up the stairs. The opening was not official, and the entrance was closed again after a few days, to the disappointemtnt of many.
What Happened in 2024?
The site closed on 23 August 2024 after a landslide killed 13 people, including two Russian tourists and nine Myanmar workers. The disaster exposed illegal building work around the site, and the Royal Forest Department issued 25 conditions before reopening could happen.
A lawsuit followed. Tensions between local authorities, the temple foundation, and affected families delayed progress for months. The site finally reopened in January 2026, but only for a short time…
The View That Never Gets Old
The official name is Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri. “Happiness on Top of Nagakerd Mountain,” but nobody calls it that :).
People came for the majestic white marble Buddha visible from everywhere in the south of the island, and for the panoramic views from 400 metres up. Many made donations to buy a marble tile with their name on it, contributing to a project built entirely by the community.
The view is what made the climb worth it. West side: Kata Beach, Kata Noi, a sliver of Promthep Cape. Turn around: Chalong Bay spreads out below. On clear days, you could see the islands in Phang Nga Bay way out on the horizon.
Most people missed the terrace behind the Buddha. Quieter back there. Better photos, too, and hardly anyone around. We always walked the full circle before heading down.
There are several small restaurants on the way up the hill. Nothing fancy. Cold drinks, simple Thai food. The view over Kata Beach and Karon Beach from those terraces never got old.
Behind the Buddha is a quieter terrace with another great view. Most people miss it, but we always recommend walking around the back before heading down. It’s where we took some of our favourite photos, with hardly anyone else around. There are also some small restaurants on the way up the hill. It’s nothing fancy, but we always stop for a drink or even lunch! The view over Karon Beach from that little terrace is something we never get tired of.
Phuket Big Buddha Video
When Was Big Buddha Phuket Built?
The Big Buddha project started in 2002 when General Phijit Kulawanich, Privy Councillor, laid the foundation stone on 26 May 2002. The statue was meant to become a symbol of peace and faith for Phuket. In 2007, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand granted the official name, and in 2008, the statue was declared the “Buddhist Treasure of Phuket”
The statue stands 45 metres tall and 25.45 metres wide. It’s made of reinforced concrete covered with white Burmese jade marble called Suriyakanta. About 135 tonnes of marble were imported from Myanmar, giving the statue its distinctive, almost glowing appearance in late afternoon light.💡The project was built entirely from donations. Visitors could sponsor a marble tile for 300 or 1,000 Baht, depending on size, and write their name on it. The foundation is anchored with 50 ferroconcrete piers reaching 12 metres deep.
The main statue and staircase are now complete, but construction is still ongoing underneath the platform, where new meditation halls and exhibition areas are slowly taking shape. It’s always been a community effort, and it’s still growing, little by little.
Visiting Big Buddha Phuket
Two Nagas guard the staircase. 94 steps from the terrace to the Buddha’s base. Up one side, down the other. A guard makes sure you don’t mess that up. The climb’s not bad. Go slow if you need to. If you skip the stairs entirely, the view from the lower terrace is still good.
The Temple
On the way down, the temple area offers its own calm rhythm. Monks sit quietly offering blessings, and locals often stop by to pray. The donation culture is strong here, with opportunities to buy amulets or small items.
A small museum-like room displays information about the construction. It’s modest but provides interesting context. The full name of the statue is Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, which roughly translates to “Happiness on top of Nakkerd Mountain”. Parts of the base were still technically under construction before the closure, but the main statue appeared complete.
The Seven Buddhas of the Week
Just below the statue, seven smaller Buddha statues represent each day of the week. Thai tradition holds that people should pay respect to the Buddha image corresponding to their birth day. Lighting a candle and offering a flower to the appropriate “day Buddha” is a small gesture many visitors enjoy. Read more
A Few Things to Know Before You Visit
First, a quick reminder: This is a temple, not just a viewpoint. It’s a place of worship. Monks, rituals, and locals coming to pray are part of everyday life here. Acting respectfully, as one would in a church or mosque, is expected.
Is there a dress code at The Big Buddha?
There’s a dress code, and it is really simple: The dress code is straightforward: no sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee. Free sarongs are available at the entrance for anyone who forgets. Guards are polite but firm about sending visitors back to the gate if clothing doesn’t meet requirements. Keeping voices low and behaving appropriately isn’t difficult, but this is a real temple and a religious site, not a theme park.
How to Get to Big Buddha Phuket?
Most tour agencies and tuk-tuks in Phuket can arrange transport to the Big Buddha, and the entrance is always free. The statue sits at the top of Nakkerd Hill, just outside Chalong in the south of Phuket. Signs from Phuket Town toward Chalong Circle point the way. The road branches off Chaofa West Road, about 8 km from Wat Chalong.
The final stretch is a narrow, winding road (Soi Yot Sane 1) that’s paved and in decent condition, though the descent feels steep on busy days. Taking it slowly on the way down is advisable.
Options for visiting include: renting a car or motorbike, hiring a tuk-tuk and asking the driver to wait, or joining a half-day tour. Some travellers reached the top by ATV tour. For the more active, a hiking trail from Karon Beach offers a good workout.
Big Buddha Phuket Hike
A trail starts from Patak Road in Karon, opposite Baan Karon Resort. The route covers about 2.3-2.5 km and takes roughly an hour with rest breaks. Google Maps labels it the Kata-Karon Hiking Trail. Part of the hike follows a road or partially paved track, but about 1,500 metres involves a steep dirt track through the jungle. One section is quite steep and slippery, with ropes installed to help climbers. Proper shoes, water, and reasonable fitness are recommended.
The trail meets Soi Yot Sane 1, the main road to the Big Buddha, with about 500-650 metres left to walk along the road before reaching the hilltop. The view feels more rewarding after the physical effort of walking up. Read more about hikes to Big Buddha.
Where to Eat near Big Buddha?
360 Panorama
More photos of Big Buddha Phuket
Big Buddha Phuket Info
Location: Chalong
Address: Soi Yot Sane 1, Chaofa West Rd, Nakkerd Hill, near Chalong
Open: 8 am – 7 pm daily
Phone: 083 556 2242
Dress Code: No short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless T-shirts
Admission: Free
Closed: August 2024 – January 2026
Reopened: January 2026
Official name: Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri
Height: 45 m
Big Buddha Phuket Map
Open this map on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/QfuQU3YyHwX2JrTR6.
This story was first published on August 6, 2016 – more about the Big Buddha of Phuket on Wikipedia.
