🧘 Big Buddha (Phra Phutthamingmongkol Akenakkhiri)

About This Sacred Site

The Big Buddha of Phuket is a 45-meter-tall seated Buddha statue perched atop Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the island. The statue is covered in white Burmese marble that gleams in the tropical sunlight and can be seen from almost anywhere in southern Phuket. Construction began in 2004 and the site is still being expanded and embellished with additional shrines and meditation spaces. The base of the statue houses a small museum and several smaller Buddha images. The hilltop location, ocean breezes, and tinkling of wind bells create a remarkably peaceful atmosphere despite the large number of visitors. Donations from visitors fund the ongoing construction.

Spiritual Significance

The Big Buddha statue, officially named Phra Phutthamingmongkol Akenakkhiri, represents the Gautama Buddha in the Maravijaya attitude, symbolizing victory over the temptations of Mara as described in the Pali Canon. Pilgrims often circumambulate the 45-meter tall statue, which is covered in white Burmese marble, a material chosen for its purity and association with spiritual clarity in Theravada Buddhism. The site hosts annual ceremonies during Makha Bucha and Visakha Bucha days, where monks chant verses from the Tipitaka scriptures, and devotees offer alms and light incense at the base of the statue. The statue's location atop Nakkerd Hill in southern Phuket allows it to be visible from almost anywhere on the island, serving as a constant spiritual beacon for locals and visitors. Construction, begun in 2004 and ongoing, involves community donations, reflecting the Buddhist practice of dana (generosity), which is believed to accumulate merit for future rebirths. The statue also functions as a meditation site, where guided Vipassana sessions are held, emphasizing mindfulness and insight as taught by the Thai Forest Tradition.

Key Facts

• •The statue is 45 meters tall and 25 meters wide, covered in white Burmese marble
• •Visible from almost anywhere in southern Phuket
• •Construction began in 2004 and is still ongoing, funded by visitor donations
• •Sits atop Nakkerd Hill at approximately 400 meters above sea level
• •Wind bells at the base create a distinctive peaceful soundscape

Location

Coordinates: 7.8278, 98.3133