Phuket's Royal Forest Centre has ordered the closure of the Big Buddha site on Nak Koet Hill in Tambon Karon due to landslide risks.

This decision follows the death of 13 people in the area from landslides on August 23, 2024.

Director Sorasak Rananan disclosed that the statue was constructed on 20 rai of land, with five rai of encroached land.

The Royal Forest Department has seized six related buildings, filed complaints, and put up seizure signs.

Visitors are advised to pay respect from a distance as heavy rainfall increases the risk of further landslides.

The recent tragedy was attributed to deforestation for statue placement.