Phuket’s Royal Forest Center has announced the closure of a large Buddha site atop Nak Koet Hill in Karon subdistrict due to concerns over potential landslides following the recent disaster that claimed 13 lives on August 23. The decision was based on an inspection that revealed that the statue, constructed on approximately 20 rai of land, extends five rai beyond the permitted area.
The statue, built by the Foundation of Phra Ming Monkul Sattha under the order of the National Office of Buddhism, is located within the Khao Nak Koet National Forest Reserve. The Royal Forest Department has seized six buildings associated with the temple and filed a complaint with Karon police against the foundation for encroachment on the protected land.
Officials are particularly concerned about the risk of further landslides, citing the saturated land and the presence of large structures in the area. The Royal Forest Department is expected to request the Phuket Provincial Office of Buddhism to formally close the site to prevent additional casualties.
Visitors have been urged to avoid the area and to pay respects to the Buddha statue from a distance, especially given the ongoing rainy season and forecasts of heavy rain in the region. The landslides have been attributed to deforestation on the hilltop to make way for the statue. (NNT)
