Are the Big Buddha on Samui and the Big Buddha on Phuket the same place?
No. This is Wat Phra Yai on Koh Fan, off the northeastern coast of Samui. You can cross the stone causeway from Samui’s main island to see the golden seated Buddha.
Big Buddha · Wat Phra YaiWat Phra Yai (Ko Fan)วัดพระใหญ่ เกาะสมุย
Koh Samui · Big Buddha temple on Ko Fan
Wat Phra Yai on Samui is a Big Buddha temple on the small island of Koh Fan, off the island’s northeast coast. The golden seated Buddha was built in 1972. This is a Samui place of worship, separate from Phuket’s Big Buddha.
Koh Fan was once surrounded by seawater. Residents first built a wooden bridge, but it lasted only about two or three years, so they later piled stones to make a causeway. You cross that causeway to reach the Buddha; the residents’ work connecting the island to the mainland is part of the route you take.
Location and getting there
The pin marks the place, not necessarily its entrance, ticket office or vehicle drop-off point.
What can you see?
A golden seated Buddha built in 1972
Samui Municipality says the large golden Buddha was built in 1972. It is also called Phra Phuttha Kodom and sits in the bhumisparsha mudra, the posture of calling the earth to witness the defeat of Mara. This is not an ancient ruin; people still come to worship here.
The municipality lists the Buddha’s height as 6 wa (about 12 metres) and its knee span as 5 wa 9 inches. Look towards the golden seated figure from the causeway to Koh Fan, then approach the temple to see its seated posture and face. This is a Buddha image where people still pray, not a beach sculpture, so avoid standing in front of worshippers.
From a wooden bridge to a stone causeway
Koh Fan was originally a small island surrounded by seawater. The wooden bridge residents first built lasted only about two or three years, so they later piled stones together to make a permanent causeway, according to the municipality. The route you use today reflects their work.
As you enter the temple, notice how the stone causeway connects Koh Fan with Samui’s main island. You cross the path built from stones by local residents to reach the Buddha on the small island. The visit brings together the island’s former setting surrounded by seawater and the temple on its shore.
Before you visit
Suggested clothing for a temple visit
For all visitors, we recommend wearing clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. A sleeved top with long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees is a good choice. Please dress modestly rather than wearing a sleeveless top or short bottoms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take a boat to Koh Fan?
Koh Fan is connected to Samui’s main island by a stone causeway built by local residents. The municipality says an earlier wooden bridge did not last long and was replaced by the stone crossing.
Related places and travel information
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Sharing image credit: Abrget47j / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0