UPDATE: Phuket Residents Petition Against Reopening Big Buddha Site After Landslide Tragedy

Phuket–

Local residents affected by the recent landslide at Khao Phra Yai have submitted a formal petition opposing the reopening of the Big Buddha site in Phuket.

Our previous stories:

Thirteen people have been found dead including two Russian nationals after a landslide in Karon on Friday early in the morning (August 23^rd).

Phuket has been announced as a disaster zone in which 209 families are currently suffering from the effects of landslides and flash floods, announced relevant officials.

The Department of Mineral Resources has confirmed soil indicators used to detect possible landslides are not working due to a lack of budget and maintenance.

The Royal Forest Department has confirmed that some areas at the Big Buddha have encroached illegally into a reserve forest .

The Phuket Big Buddha on the Nerk Kerd Mountain is temporarily closed for tourism.

Now for the update:

The petition outlines several key reasons for resisting the reopening:

• Unverified safety assessments: No independent geological or engineering survey has been conducted to confirm the stability of the area.
• Water management issues: Drainage and flood control systems remain unresolved, with inadequate long-term solutions to prevent future landslides.
• Land use concerns: Allegations of unauthorized land encroachment around the project site have not been transparently investigated.
• Incomplete compensation: Families of victims and property owners affected by the disaster have yet to receive full compensation. The landslide claimed 13 lives.
• Lack of accountability: No clear legal action has been taken against those responsible for the incident.

Residents insist that the following measures be implemented before the site is reopened:

1. Suspension of all opening ceremonies and public access until written assurances are provided.
2. Independent geological and engineering surveys, with full reports released to the public.
3. Permanent improvements to drainage and water flow systems, guided by expert recommendations.
4. Transparent investigation into land encroachment, with legal action and restitution where necessary.
5. Comprehensive compensation and support for families of the 13 deceased and other affected residents.
6. A public forum for community input before any reopening decisions are made.
7. Written progress reports delivered to petitioners within 15 days.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Phuket Express, owned by our parent company TPN media.