Big Buddha, Ko Samui

Visit the Big Buddha in the early morning or late afternoon for a truly Thai photo oppertunity. The Buddha faces east so morning is probably the best option. Apart from the Wat and the usual setup around these you will also find a small market area and a few small restaurants.

3 more images

Wat Phra Yai or the temple of the Big Buddha was erected in 1972. It is a modern Buddha image which stands 12m tall against the light tropical blue sky and sea beyond. Meditation huts surround the image and beyond the main entrance stand five other statue images including a giant which is submerged into the sea along with a couple other images.

The temple is located on Ko Fan which is a small island just off the north east coast of Koh Samui. It is connected to Koh Samui by a small dust track or causeway that takes you into a small village type area mainly consisting of souvenir shops. At the center of these shops you will find the main entrance, beyond which and raised high up on the hillside stands the Big Buddha.

4 more images

The Big Buddha temple is possibly the biggest tourist attraction in Koh Samui.
The statue is so big that it can be seen as you fly in to Samui on the plane and from a long way out to sea as well if you are coming to Bohput by boat because it sits on it's own little headland just outside of Bohput.
There are many shops and restuarants that share the headland with the Big Buddha and many small colourful statues of various kinds as well.
It is definatly worth the trip out to here, to understand a bit about the Thai Buddhist religion and culture.

4 more images

While you are here you can participate in burning incense ,applying gold leaf onto the image or offering flowers to the Buddha.
There are also a series of small Bells around the statue that can be tapped with a coin to bring you good luck..
Even if you do not want to participate it is nevertheless interesting to see how the Thai's worship him.
A good dose of culture that is worth experiencing.
The Thai girl in the photo below is trying to throw a 1 Baht piece up onto the lap of the big Buddha because if you make a wish and the money stays on his lap then it is supposed to be good luck.

First, rather than call it by its commonly known name, the official name of this temple is Wat Phra Yai. It is also known as Hin Ngu Temple, but most people will see it on the English tour maps as "Big Buddha Temple".

Wat Phra Yai has a 12 meter tall statue of a sitting pose Buddha, which can easily be viewed by ship or by airplane. It is located on the Northeast tip of Koh Samui, and you can take Chaweng drive if you are headed straight to it from the airport.

The Buddha statue is in fact just gold paint, and definitely not one of the most wonderful sculptures, but the size and friendly smile definitely welcome you to the temple.

4 more images

This is a must when you go to ko samui. You can see the buddha from the plane, it is so large. We did a tour where they took us to the big buddha, on an elephant ride, to a waterfall, grandmother and grandfather rocks, a coconut farm when the monkeys collect the coconuts, and high up on the mountain with a great view of the island.

1 more image

On my first visit to Thailand in 99 I was enthralled and consumed by the Buddist religion. This time, not so much. I was hot, I felt a bit off, and when they told me I had to take off my shoes to walk up the steps to the buddah, i didn't do it. I get very sweaty feet, and I could just imagine myself slipping off the steps or collecting so much dirt on the bottom that I couldn't do it. Instead I sat in the shade and listened to the haungting music go around on repeat and sent my hubby up to the top.

He took the pic of the monkey praying. He said it was funny, I said its cruel and done for the tourists.

1 more image

I went to the Big Buddha with my brother and cousin by taxi (60bht) from Chaweng beach, and spent the day looking at this wonderful monument.
After leaving the taxi we walked toward this huge structure with all of the surrounding statues, temples, and shops. I took pictures along the way (see more photos in my travelogues), and couldn't believe all of the time and effort it must have took to create all of it.
We climbed to the top of the long staircase to the base of the Big Buddha. From here the view is amazing, you can see all around the site for miles in every direction. You have an excellent view of the fishing boats and ocean to the green countryside, all very visible from the top. The Buddha itself is huge and is surrounded by statues, candles, shops, as well as incense and people praying and sight seeing.
We went back down and each signed a brick, with a small donation, which is to be placed with thousands of others at the base of the Buddha. After this we explored the shops and picked up a few things to take back with us.
This is a great experience that you have to see to believe.
A note to visitors, you must wear proper clothing when visiting at the Big Buddha..