Big Buddha, Ko Samui

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Built here in 1972 on the site of the Wat Phra Yai Temple, the Buddha sits at 12 metres high at the top of a staircase and can be easily seen coming in to land at Samui airport. One of the most popular sites on the island, it shows in the tacky t-shirt and souvenir shops that sit alongside the meditation shrine.

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Visit Big Buddah Temple.
On the way out there is a Fish Spa where you can get small fish to nibble the dead skin off of your feet, brilliant laugh !
Cost was 300 Baht each for as long as you wanted.
Tea and cold towels supplied.

Buy a roof tile for 50 Baht, write your own message on it.

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Finished in the mid 1970s, Big Buddha is the most visited attraction on Ko Samui. Located on the miniscule Ko Phan island, around 1km from Samui International Airport, Big Buddha is around 15m tall and 12m wide. Construction of a monastery on the island was begun in 1920 but stalled after the death of the monk. The plan was eventually changed and the Buddha built instead. Ko Phan, or Small Deer Island, gets its name from a legend that mentions an enchanted deer being the island's guardian spirit.

The Big Buddah is Koh Samui most famous landmark.This golden image proudly stands 12 meters tall and can be seen for several kilometers away.We arrived just as the sun was setting so that was especialy nice .You can also get a good view of part of the Island if you climb the stairs to the mount where the Buddha sits.

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it;s nice.
it;s a 12 meter golden image of Buddha
If you join the jungle safari trip, they will take you to the Big buddha, at the very end of the trip, just before going back to the hotel.
it;s a nice sight seeing place

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Most tourist who comes to Koh Samui will at least visit the giant Buddha statue here which is situated at Big Buddha beach at the northeastern side of the island. While you are there, remember to walk to the back portion of the Wat and you will find an interesting display of bells hanging along the wall while enjoying the view overlooking the sea.

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The big Budha is quite a site. The actual budha is beautiful though I hope that they are not doing any repairs. It is also quieter so you can enjoy a religous moment if you are so inclined. The view from the top is good and you can see far in both directions.

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The Big Buddha is what it says also there is a praying area and tourist type stalls...............note to reach the Big Buddha there are alot of stairs
Also make sure you take your shoes off at the bottom of the stairs.

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Visit Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai Temple), 12 meter high gold Buddha and it is probably Samui's most visited tourist attraction. There are a number of stalls and shops selling souveniers. You can pay 200 bahts to sponsor a brick, write a little message on it and add it to the huge collection which will go towards building a new temple, a nice way to leave your mark on the island. We were also blessed by a Buddhist Monk when we were there and I still wear the orange string around my wrist as a reminder.

Remember this isn't just a tourist site, many Thai's come here to worship so you should wear the appropriate clothing and you must take shoes off before climbing the stairs, no matter how hot the ground is!!

Can be a little crowded but it is a must and will probably one of the last sites you'll see when flying out of the island.

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The area around the Big Buddha is a crowded tourist-attraction, and I hate nothing more than being in a bus full of people, loaded and unloaded at certain stops to take pictures, buy souveniers and then rush to the next sight.

Nevertheless, the Big Buddha should not be missed. The other statues around the site are equally magnificent, and you can easily spend a few hours relaxing in the tranquil surroundings.

NOTE: When visiting the Big Buddha or other Buddhist sites, please be considerate and show respect by wearing decent clothing, in other words: cover your shoulders and knees. Nobody would ever say something to you, but you may get some disapproving looks.
There are also some stalls and small stores selling souvenirs; everything from crystals to hand-woven shawls, to wooden carvings to - obviously - buddhas. Refreshments are also available.

TIP: The monks are collecting donations to build new walls, buildings, etc.
You can "Sponsor-a-Brick" (I know it sounds strange!)
You pay as much as you wish, take a brick and write your name, personal message, or whatever you like on the brick and place it on the evergrowing pile. A lovely thought: becoming a piece in their next building :-)
And while you're there, read the messages on some of the thousands of bricks other travellers have left... a great pasttime!