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Phuket Buddhists Build Giant Polystyrene Buddha Statue

1,436 views · Published 28 September 2015 · 2:28 · Indexed 5 October 2026

Channel: Phuket Word · 2015 · Travel & Events

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WORD ON THAI CULTURE: A five-metre tall Buddha image carved entirely from polystyrene is slowly taking shape under a tarpaulin in a community on the east coast of Phuket as locals prepare to celebrate a traditional annual festival that is unique to the district.

Once complete, the massive Buddha image will be placed on a float and wheeled in a procession to the local temple for the wun sa Festival on October 5th as Buddhist lent nears a close and monks prepare to end their annual retreat. 
The polystyrene Buddha is one of 28 creations of all shapes and sizes being put together by groups of neighbours in Talang district, which has a colourful history.   This particular part of Phuket, near Layan Beach on the east coast of the island, a short distance from Heroine's Monument, is steeped in history and is most well known as one of the sites where locals fought off Burmese invaders 230 years ago in 1785.

About 10 creative members of the community are involved in making this Buddha image, said the group's leader Samrith Pimol, who is a math teacher at a nearby school and has been working on the statue in his spare time for the past few weeks.

Nestled in the large head of the Buddha are 4 smaller Buddha images representing the four compass points, North, East, South and west.
The hands and legs are in a pose to represent perfection, one of 32 meditation poses in ancient Buddhist teachings.

Samrith said the the final touch will be to paint the massive model to make it resemble an old weathered statue.

Now 58 years old, Samrit grew up in the community and began taking part in the annual festivities when he was 12 years old. The artists make something new each year but the models are not always religious symbols. Last year Samrit and his crew made a giant dragon out of bamboo and have in the past recreated Hollywood characters such as King Kong.

Samrit said making the giant sculptures and models has been a tradition in the community for several generations. If they are lucky, someone will sponsor the artists. Otherwise, they fund it themselves and consider the activity a way of making merit.

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