Those who have already visited the Kingdom of Siam must have noticed that in every corner you turn to, you can find a temple or a Buddha statue of importance to the locals, and indeed these are central and sacred sites that serve the Buddhist spiritual and religious people living in Thailand, so that in addition to being popular tourist centers, they are a pilgrimage center for the locals Every day.
Among the most famous Buddha statues is the Big Buddha of Phuket and don't confuse it with Big Buddha in other cities in Thailand, because there are several sites with the same name.
The Great Buddha of Phuket It is the third largest Buddha statue in Thailand and it stands no less than 145 meters high and is about 25 meters wide, which makes it an impressive presence and can be seen from a long distance. It was declared in 2008 as a "Buddhist Treasure of Phuket", which undoubtedly contributed to its great popularity and put it on the list of must-see sites for every tourist who comes to visit the beautiful island.
This huge and spectacular figure is made entirely of concrete coated with Burmese white marble which symbolizes hope and optimism for the believers. These are estimated according to the sources to be worth about one million dollars which were received through public donations in order to build the statue which over the years has become one of the iconic symbols of the island and an inseparable part of its skyline.
Over a thousand visitors visit the site every day, including tourists, clergymen, the curious and those who climb the hill on which the statue stands in order to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the valley at the foot of the statue. Many of the visitors continue to donate money with the aim that these will be used for the ongoing maintenance of the statue and in order to win good luck for themselves, their family and their loved ones who are no longer alive.
Since this is one of the most touristic places in Phuket it is important to take into account that it can be quite crowded with visitors, especially if you visit it during the peak tourist season on the island. Therefore, if you want to visit the site without suffering from the rush of tourists, it is recommended to schedule your visit and arrive near sunset, then the rush of tourists decreases and you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the way.
