The Big Buddha Phuket closed but the scenic scooter ride and coastal viewpoint remain open — essential tips and avoid the elephant ride stalls
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Big Buddha, Phuket — quick investigator snapshot
Score snapshot: highly rated by visitors with an overall 4.6/5 from 36,924 reviews. Recent guest reports give a mixed but consistent picture about access, scenery, and animal welfare concerns.
What guests actually found at the site
- Access during mid-2025: visitors report the attraction was closed because of a landslide, so physical entry to the statue was not permitted during their visits.
- Visibility: despite closure, the statue can be seen from a nearby landing/upper area and its tile work is observable up close from that vantage.
- Scenic payoff: the viewpoint provides sweeping valley and coastal panoramas that visitors repeatedly described as beautiful.
- Cost to view: people noted that approaching and seeing the Big Buddha from the public vantage is free.
- Parking: there is a free parking lot available for visitors arriving by vehicle.
How visitors got there and the ride itself
Multiple reviewers emphasized the route as part of the attraction: a scenic uphill ride that passes local villages and several cafes. Travelers recommended coming by scooter or motorbike for the road experience; when the statue area was closed some guests still rode up on a motorbike to the top landing and used the spot for photos. Food and drinks are sold at the top area, and guests advised carrying Thai baht for purchases.
Facilities and nearby services mentioned by guests
- Small cafes and snack stops appear on the ascent according to visitor reports.
- Local establishments around the site include cafés and restaurants such as Chicco Doro, Big Buddha Art Cafe & Restaurant and Star Mountain Sunset Restaurant listed in the attraction context.
Elephant encounters: what guests warn you about
Guest accounts consistently called attention to an elephant attraction beside the route. Visitors described options to pay to feed or ride elephants, and several voices advised strongly against riding. One report explicitly described seeing a baby elephant with a leg tied to a hut, which prompted a recommendation to instead support Freedom Elephant Sanctuary.
Actionable takeaways on the elephant issue
- Do not purchase elephant rides; reviewers urged choosing ethical sanctuaries for any elephant interaction.
- If you want to help local elephant welfare, follow the guest-sourced suggestion to support Freedom Elephant Sanctuary rather than engaging with roadside riding attractions.
Contradictions and practical realities visitors flagged
Review patterns reveal a tension between the destination’s iconic status and the on-the-ground experience. The site remains visually impressive from a distance, yet physical access can be restricted by natural events. Visitors accepted the trade-off when the uphill approach itself delivered the scenic and cultural value they sought.
Compact visitor checklist (from guest reports)
- Plan to travel by scooter or motorbike if you value the drive and quick access to upper viewpoints.
- Bring Thai baht for food and small purchases at the summit area.
- Use the free parking lot if arriving by car.
- Avoid paying for elephant rides; consider supporting ethical sanctuaries instead.
Final investigator verdict
The Big Buddha remains a strong photographic and viewpoint destination according to many recent visitors, even when structural access to the statue is limited. If your priority is the ride, landscape views and seeing the statue from a short distance, visitors’ experiences indicate you will get value from the trip. If you expect to walk around the statue platform, check current access status before committing time. The elephant-welfare reports are a clear red flag for travelers who care about ethical animal tourism.
Bottom line: great viewpoint and scenic approach; verify entry status ahead and avoid roadside elephant-riding operations.
Loading...🅿️ Parking Options
Free parking lot📍 Coordinates:
7.827576, 98.312843
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