The beautiful coastline of Kosmoy And the big Buddha statue are the first things you notice during a flight over the island. The Big Buddha Temple, or in its local name - Wat Phra Yai, is one of the most popular attractions on the islands Thailand. Even if you are fed up with visiting temples in the east, this is a spectacular tourist site that is a must.
The temple is located near the airport, in the northeast corner of Samui Island. You can reach the place in a short taxi, car or motorcycle ride that you will rent.
The name of the site is not misleading at all - there stands in all its glory a huge golden statue of Buddha. The Buddha figure is decorated with a traditional design of dragons and stands 12 meters tall, not including the raised platform on which the statue sits. Near the statue stretches a magnificent garden with the seductive name The Secret Garden.
The Buddha statue was built in 1972 and since then has been a favorite destination for lovers of culture, religion and history. Over the years, more and more tourists began to discover the place and today there is no one who does not return from a trip to Kosmoy with a photogenic picture from the temple. Don't worry, the Thais haven't abandoned the place yet - even today, if you arrive early in the morning, you can join Buddhist monks for a spiritual experience of lighting incense, praying, singing and bringing an offering to the Buddha statue. It should be noted that on Sundays mass religious ceremonies are held there and the area becomes noisy and crowded with believers.
It is important to remember that despite the high level of tourism in the place, the temple is still a religious site and therefore there is a dress code. You must arrive at the venue with covered shoulders and an item of clothing that covers your legs up to at least knee height (and yes, these rules apply to both sexes!). A guard regularly walks around the place to supervise the implementation of the procedures and provides scarves to those who did not arrive equipped. Also, as in any temple, you must respect the sanctity of the place and take off your shoes in places where there are signs instructing to do so. It is important to note that during the hot hours the ground gets very hot, so it is recommended to bring a pair of socks with you for walking around with bare feet.
The trip in the area can take several hours. It is especially recommended to visit the place at sunset, when the area is filled with particularly beautiful lights and colors and the ground also becomes less warm. Near the statue there is a meditation complex and a small market that offers unique souvenirs from the place: hats, shirts and more. If you have finished visiting the temple you can enjoy good Thai restaurants in the area and go to the big and beautiful Buddha Beach which is behind the temple. The atmosphere on the beach is incredibly calm and pastoral. Also, nearby you can find other attractions - famous beaches such as Bophut, Chaweng and Maenam where there are plenty of restaurants, bars and sunbathing areas. If the spiritual experience was not enough for you, there is another great Buddhist temple in the area - Wat Plai Laem.
opening times - The temple is open to visitors every day of the week, from 18:00 to 8:00. free admission.
