The Big Buddha Temple is located on the northern side of Koh Samui, near Bophut Beach. The temple is situated on a small island called “Koh Fan.” Originally, Koh Fan was surrounded by the sea, but the locals built a wooden bridge to connect it to Koh Samui. However, each wooden bridge would last only 2-3 years before needing replacement. Later on, the community came together to construct a permanent road made of stone embankment. Although the "Big Buddha," or "Phra Buddha Kodom," is not an ancient statue, this impressive golden statue in the posture of Mara Vichai was built in 1972. It measures 5.9 meters wide and stands 6 meters tall, making it the largest Buddha statue in southern Thailand. It is a revered site for local Buddhists in Samui and has drawn significant interest from both Thai and international tourists alike.