Wat Phra Yai, or the Big Buddha Temple, is located on the small islet of Fan, which is connected to the island of Samui by a causeway. Its main attraction is considered to be the 12-meter statue of the Big Buddha, which can be seen even from a distance of several kilometers.
The Buddhist temple was built in 1972 in a style classic for such religious structures: columns with inlay everywhere, carved statues of Buddha and other gods, altars with incense, and beautiful frescoes and paintings with Buddhist scenes on the walls. The area around the temple and the Big Buddha statue is immersed in the vivid greenery of a well-kept tropical garden.
The island's residents revere Wat Phra Yai as one of the main shrines and consider both the temple itself and the Big Buddha to be miracle-working protectors of Samui. They say that with the appearance of the temple complex here, the island gained the protection of the gods and began to prosper and develop, and that all troubles and misfortunes have avoided it ever since.
Near the temple there is a small market, where there are stalls selling religious goods and Thai souvenirs, clothing, and jewelry. At the foot of the staircase leading to the Big Buddha, you can buy symbolic offerings to the deity from the monks – incense and candles.
If you want Buddha to grant your request, make a small donation for the repair and development of the temple, and your wish and name will be written on a roof tile that will be used to make the roof of Wat Phra Yai during the next renovation.
