Thailand is primarily a Buddhist Nation, consisting of myriads of stunning best Buddha statues. With different postures (standing, sitting, walking, and laying down), Buddha statues look more attractive and interesting.
Plaster, metal, stone, wood, and other different materials bring the structure of these statues to life. These huge depictions of Buddha via statues can be witnessed all over the country in various sizes.
Every resort owns at least one miniature replica of Buddha sculptures to showcase the region’s culture and beliefs.
Thailand’s Buddha statues are heterogeneous and make the country’s visit more fascinating. This captivates more tourists to the country, hence Thailand holiday packages are a must to go through, beforehand planning your tour to Thailand.
Here are the 10 Best Buddha Statues in Thailand
Wat Muang, Ang Thong Province
Wat Muang or Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin of Wat Muang is a humongous statue of Buddha made out of concrete and has been painted gold.
The statue is located around 140 km north of Bangkok. It is known as the ‘Great Buddha of Thailand’ and is one of the tallest statues in the World.
The gigantic statue is 92 meters tall and 63 meters in width. The posture of the seated Buddha in the statue is crossed-legged or Bhumisparsha mudra pose. Close by is located Hell park which is also worth visiting. The Hell park contains statues depicting the kismet of the sinners.
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Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok
Wat Phra Kaew or the Emerald Buddha is the most esteemed Buddha sculpture in Thailand. It is located in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeo and is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Despite being comparably little in size to other existing statues in Thailand, its admiration is beyond belief. Having crafted from natural jade and dressing it in golden attire is the essence of this sculpture.
The fun fact is that the only person who is allowed to change the statue’s golden attire is the Thai king. The placement of the statue is in the core of the Grand Palace which made it more significant. Many people, especially Thais come to pray here throughout the year.
Wat Pho, Bangkok
The Temple of Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon is located just behind the temple of Emerald Buddha.
The reclining Buddha structure is also known as Phra Buddhasaiyas. The use of plaster is evident in it with embellishments of gold leaves. It is one of the biggest Buddha statues of Buddha in Thailand, which is 46 meters long and its feet are 5 meters long and splendidly embellished with mother-of-pearl illustrations of propitious characteristics(Laksanas) of Buddha.
Other than the reclining Buddha, other statues here are also impressive. It deserves a mandatory visit for tourists visiting Thailand as it is one of the largest temple complexes of the city.
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The Big Buddha, Phuket
The Big Buddha or Phra Putta Ming Mongkol Akenakkiri is established in the Nakkerd hills near Phuket. It is 45 meters tall and 25 meters broad at the base.
Due to its location on the Nakkad hills, it is easy to watch this splendor even from a distance. The Big Buddha is created from concrete and completely veiled with dazzling Burmese white jade marble.
The Buddha’s statue is in the Bhumisparsha Mudra pose and because of its marble outer body, the sunlight gives it a ceaseless radiance. Close to the Big Buddha is a mini Buddha sculpture, made out of 20 tonnes of brass, but is gold in color. The temple is a prodigious place to visit in Thailand.
Wat Lokayasthram, Ayutthaya
Wat Lokayasthram has situated northwest of the island of Ayutthaya. The saffron-colored robe adds richness and beauty to it with bricks and cement construction beneath it.
Alike the Big Buddha, the posture of Buddha in the statue is reclining and is 37 meters long. Its appearance is quite rough because of the use of cement and bricks in its construction.
The statue doesn’t have a temple or shrine. There is a scaled-down structure in front of it. Its beauty uplifts because of the embellishments of gold leaves by the devotees.
Five-Buddha Statue, Wat Phra That Pha Kaew
The Five Buddha statue was declared a religious site in 2004. It then formally became a temple in 2010. It is located in the Phetchabun province of Thailand.
The illustrious is one of the most beautiful temples in the country. The five alluring Buddha statues sit one after the other against the green hilly backdrop.
The sky-high structure of the statue favors the clouds to enjoy around it. The five Buddhas are sitting cross-legged in the middle of the lotus and placed sitting in ascending order. The biggest Buddha has a golden head embellishment and gold details and others are pure white.
- Wat Intharawihan, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Wat Intharawihan or the temple of standing Buddha exhibits Buddha carrying an alms bowl (an alms bowl or a begging bowl is still carried by monks to receive food from people).
The use of bricks and cement is evident in its construction with a thin layer of gold on it. The structure is 32 meters tall. The construction of the statue began under the reign of King Mongkut in 1867. It took 60 years and came into existence in 1927.
The top-knot of the hair or Ushnisha incorporates a Buddhist relic which was a gift from the government of Sri Lanka. The beautiful golden Buddha statue is worth a visit.
Phra Buddha Chinnarat, Phitsanulok
Phra Buddha Chinnaray is famous for its Golden Buddha image as it is the most beautiful golden image of Buddha in Thailand. The name Phra Buddha Chinnarat translates as ‘The King of Victory’.
The statue sits in a posture with crossed legs, one hand resting on the lap, and the left hand pointing towards the ground. This posture is the exact representation of the time when Buddha received enlightenment, as per the local belief.
It is one of the most highly esteemed statues that you may find. Also, it is an extremely important pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists. Henceforth, Thousands of people around the world visit this sacred place throughout the year.
9. Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, Hat Yai
Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj is the tallest Golden Standing Buddha in southern Thailand and is located at the Hai Yai Municipal Park. It is 19.9 meters tall and carries a weight of 200 tonnes made up of Brass. Moreover, it stands on a pedestal which as a result elevates the statue even further.
10. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan
Wat Phanan Cheong Worawihan is Thailand’s oldest Buddha statue. According to the ancient scholars, its origin dates back to 1324. It is 19 meters tall and made up of bricks and cement and covered in gold.
In the statue, the Buddha is in the Bhumisparsha mudra pose with the right hand touching the ground. It is located at the meeting point of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers.
