Khao Nak Koed

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 09.00 – 18.00

 

Khao Nak Koed in Phuket is the hilltop site of Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, widely known as the Big Buddha of Phuket. The hill lies between Karon and Chalong in Mueang Phuket District and is one of the island’s most important religious and scenic landmarks. The large white seated Buddha can be seen from many areas in southern Phuket, including Kata, Karon, Chalong, and the Chalong Bay area. The statue is a contemporary Mara Vichai posture Buddha with a lap width of 25.45 metres and a height of 45 metres. Its reinforced-concrete structure is covered with white jade marble from Myanmar, giving the statue its bright and peaceful appearance.

 

Khao Nak Koed is not simply a viewpoint. It is a religious site, a place of worship, a hilltop cultural landmark, and one of the most recognisable symbols of Phuket. Visitors come to pay respect to the Buddha, make merit, observe the temple atmosphere, walk around the base of the statue, and enjoy wide views over Chalong Bay, Phuket Town, Kata, Karon, the surrounding hills, and the Andaman Sea. The site combines faith, architecture, landscape, and local identity in one place.

 

The official image, Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, is designed in a serene contemporary Buddhist style. It sits on a large circular base at the summit of Khao Nak Koed, facing toward the northeast. The scale of the statue is impressive from close range, while the white marble surface makes it stand out clearly against the green hills and blue sky. Around the base are worship areas, stairs, walkways, merit-making points, and viewing terraces that allow visitors to experience both the religious and scenic character of the site.

 

The name Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri reflects auspiciousness and the hill on which the Buddha is enshrined. For many Thai visitors and Buddhists, the site is a place to pay respect, make wishes, and reflect quietly. For travellers, it is one of the best places to understand how Buddhism, landscape, and Phuket’s tourism identity come together. The visit is most meaningful when approached respectfully as a temple area first and a viewpoint second.

 

After the landslide incident in 2024, the Big Buddha site was closed for safety checks and official review. It later reopened to worshippers and visitors under the management of Wat Kittisangharam, also known as Wat Kata. The reopened site is now managed as Wat Kittisangharam (Big Buddha), with temple supervision and operating conditions connected with the protected forest area. Visitors should therefore follow all signs, stay within permitted areas, and respect the instructions of monks, temple staff, and officials.

 

The viewpoint is one of the main reasons many people visit Khao Nak Koed. From the upper terrace and base area, visitors can look out over Chalong Bay, the southern coastline, Kata and Karon beaches, surrounding hills, and parts of Phuket Town on clear days. Morning offers cooler air and softer light, while late afternoon gives warmer colours and a more dramatic sky. Because the site closes in the evening, visitors should arrive early enough to walk, pay respect, take photos, and return safely before closing time.

 

Inside the site, visitors will find more than the main Buddha image. There are other sacred images and merit-making areas where worshippers can pray, make offerings, and spend time quietly. The site also has open terraces and scenic viewpoints. Because it is an active religious place, visitors should behave modestly, keep voices low, avoid inappropriate poses, and give space to people who are praying or meditating.

 

Dress code is important at the Big Buddha. Shoulders should be covered, sleeveless tops should be avoided, and shorts or skirts should be of an appropriate length. If visitors arrive in clothing that is not suitable, covering cloth may be provided at the entrance area. Dressing modestly is not just a rule; it is a way to show respect for the Buddha image, the temple, and the people who come for religious practice.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car, motorbike, taxi, or a local tour vehicle. From Phuket Town or Chalong, drive toward Chalong on Chao Fa West Road, continue past the Wat Chalong area, and follow the road toward Soi Yot Sane and the route up Khao Nak Koed. The hill road includes curves and steep sections, so drivers should be careful, especially after rain. From Kata or Karon, the site can also be reached by local hill roads, making it easy to combine with beach areas on the west coast.

 

Along the road up Khao Nak Koed, visitors may find restaurants, cafés, viewpoints, and private activity operators such as ATV providers. These are separate from the temple site itself. Anyone joining such activities should check safety standards, permitted routes, and current operating conditions before joining, especially because the hill terrain includes slopes and curves.

 

Khao Nak Koed is easy to combine with other places in southern Phuket. A common cultural route begins at Wat Chalong, continues to the Big Buddha, and then goes toward Chalong Bay, Rawai, or Promthep Cape. A scenic route can connect the Big Buddha with Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Karon Viewpoint, and sunset areas along the west coast. Families can also visit the site as a short cultural stop to learn about Buddhist etiquette, Thai temple dress code, and Phuket’s hilltop landscape.

 

Photography is allowed in suitable areas, and the site offers many impressive angles: the full white Buddha image, the stairs, the circular base, the marble surface, Chalong Bay, Kata and Karon beaches, and the southern hills. Visitors should avoid unsafe photo positions, climbing railings, flying drones without permission, or taking photos that disturb worshippers. Morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for photography.

 

In terms of environmental context, Khao Nak Koed is part of a mountain range and protected forest landscape in southern Phuket. The site must be used carefully because it is both a religious destination and a sensitive hill area. Visitors can help by staying on permitted paths, not littering, avoiding damage to plants or slopes, and using only authorised public areas. This responsible approach helps keep the site safe and respectful after its reopening.

 

Overall, Khao Nak Koed and Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri are among Phuket’s most meaningful landmarks. The site combines a 45-metre white marble Buddha, panoramic views, religious devotion, cultural identity, and one of the island’s most memorable hilltop settings. With respectful dress, careful driving, and proper behaviour, a visit to the Big Buddha can be one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Phuket.

 

 

A: Khao Nak Koed is located between Karon and Chalong in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket. It is the hilltop site of Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, widely known as Big Buddha Phuket.

 

A: Yes. Big Buddha Phuket is open to worshippers and visitors under the management of Wat Kittisangharam, also known as Wat Kata.

 

A: Big Buddha Phuket is open daily from 09.00 to 18.00.

 

A: No. Admission is free, and visitors may make voluntary donations.

 

A: The statue is a contemporary Mara Vichai Buddha image with a lap width of 25.45 metres and a height of 45 metres, covered with white jade marble from Myanmar.

 

A: Visitors should dress modestly, cover their shoulders, avoid sleeveless tops, and wear shorts or skirts of appropriate length. Covering cloth may be provided if needed.

 

A: Visitors can see Chalong Bay, Phuket Town, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, surrounding hills, and the Andaman Sea from the upper viewpoint areas.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Chalong, Chalong Bay, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, and Karon Viewpoint.