The reopening marks the first full resumption of regular access to the landmark since it was closed following the deadly landslide in August 2024.
The abbot of Wat Kata, Phra Khru Wisutthikittiyaphon, confirmed that the site will now operate under the official name ‘Wat Kittisangharam (Big Buddha)’ and will be open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Wat Kittisangharam is the official name for Wat Kata.
Five monks from Wat Kata will be stationed at the site, with the temple committee overseeing all management and religious activities. Ceremonies will be conducted in line with Wat Kata’s established practices.
Temple officials said the reopening has been authorised for a dedicated 15-rai area, with permission granted by the Forestry Department and subject to 25 conditions that form the framework for allowing worship to resume.
They stressed that all current operations are entirely separate from the previous foundation that oversaw the site, and that the new management structure is intended to ensure transparency and full legal compliance.
The Big Buddha, which sits on the hills between Chalong and Kata, has remained largely closed since a rain-triggered landslide on Aug 23, 2024 killed 13 people, injured 19 others and damaged dozens of homes in Kata.
The disaster prompted a class action lawsuit by affected residents against the former foundation responsible for the site. The case was accepted by the Phuket Provincial Court and remains ongoing, with compensation negotiations yet to be finalised.
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee said he welcomed clarity over the new management structure but voiced continuing concerns.
“Personally, I have concerns, particularly regarding the structure, the unresolved legal cases, and safety measures, especially concerning landslides, which are major worries for the local community,” he said.
He also questioned whether all necessary permits from relevant agencies, including forestry authorities and the Phuket Provincial Office of Buddhism, had been issued correctly and completely.
“The case is currently in court, and I will closely monitor and assist the community until its conclusion,” he said.
Mr Chalermpong added that he had previously called for an investigation into donations linked to the former foundation but had been unable to pursue the matter. Under the new temple-led management, he urged full transparency in the use of donations.
“I don’t want it to become a commercialised Buddhist site or a way to profit from the Big Buddha, a landmark of Phuket,” he said.
While acknowledging the site’s value as both a major tourist attraction and spiritual centre, he reiterated that safety must come first.
“Until now, we cannot be certain, as no academics or agencies have definitively stated that landslides will not recur. Such matters are difficult to predict,” he said.
Despite the concerns, the temple has invited Buddhists to mark Makha Bucha Day at the site, describing the reopening as the beginning of a new chapter of faith for one of Phuket’s most prominent landmarks.