Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre has announced plans to close the Big Buddha site atop Nak Koet Hill in Tambon Karon due to growing concerns about the risk of further landslides. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic event on August 23, when landslides in the area claimed the lives of 13 people. The closure is intended as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional loss of life or damage.
Sorasak Rananan, the director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, explained on Monday that his agency conducted an inspection of the area around the Buddha statue last Tuesday. The inspection revealed that the statue, a significant tourist attraction, was constructed on approximately 20 rai (around 8 acres) of land. However, it was discovered that five rai (about 2 acres) of this land fall outside the boundaries where construction had been permitted.
The Buddha statue is located at Wat Kittisankaram, which had previously sought permission from the Royal Forest Department to build the 45-meter-tall statue on 15 rai of land within the Khao Nak Koet National Forest Reserve. The statue was commissioned by the Foundation of Phra Ming Monkul Sattha under the authority of the National Office of Buddhism.
Mr. Sorasak reported that officials have already taken action against the unauthorized use of the land. Six buildings associated with the temple have been seized, and a formal complaint has been filed with the Karon police against the foundation responsible for the construction. Additionally, officials have placed signs on the five rai of encroached land, declaring that it has been seized by the Royal Forest Department.
There are growing concerns that more landslides could occur in the area due to the combination of wet land and the presence of large structures, which could further destabilize the hillside. The rainy season, coupled with forecasts from the Meteorological Department predicting heavy rain, has heightened these fears.
In response to the risk, the Royal Forest Department plans to submit a formal request to the Phuket Provincial Office of Buddhism, urging them to close the Big Buddha site temporarily. This precautionary measure aims to protect both visitors and the site itself from the potential danger posed by further landslides.
Mr. Sorasak also appealed to the public, asking visitors to show their respect to the Buddha statue from a safer distance rather than climbing the hill to get close to the statue. This, he emphasized, is a necessary step to prevent any further accidents during the ongoing rainy season.
The deadly landslides that occurred recently, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to 19 others, have been attributed to the clearing of trees on Nak Koet Hill to make space for the construction of the Buddha statue. The deforestation likely destabilized the hillside, leading to the tragic events. The closure of the Big Buddha site is a critical step in preventing similar incidents as the area continues to grapple with adverse weather conditions.
