I've always wanted to visit Thailand's largest Buddha ever since I first saw it on the Instagram profile of a random Thai person. So when I decided to overcome Thailand's complicated entry requirements to visit the kingdom in early 2022, Wat Muang Buddha in Ang Thong (which means "Golden Pool" in Thai) was at the top of my list.

The only problem? There's virtually no information online, in either English or Thai, about how to get to the Big Buddha in Thailand. Luckily, my friend Nath, with whom I had traveled to the Koh Yao islands a few years earlier, was not only willing to accompany me but also to drive us there.

That's the good news. The even better news? I've decided to write an article about our hardships (and brag a little about the treasures we gained along the way) so that you'll have it much easier than we did.

How to get from Bangkok to Wat Muang Ang Thong

Nath and I began our journey to the Big Buddha in Thailand on January 1st, shortly after sunrise, at the Chatuchak Park MRT station. We soon encountered our first surprise: the minibuses, which used to depart from the main Mo Chit bus station, now leave from a separate area. A big thank you to our attentive taxi driver! Arriving in Ang Thong, just under two hours north of Bangkok by car (with no traffic), we experienced yet another surprise.

“There are neither taxis nor buses here,” the policewoman said (in Thai), “and I don’t think motorbikes are available at the moment either.” Before I could burst into tears, however, she gave Nath and me our first gift of 2022: “But my colleague can drive you if you can wait a moment.” We waited a moment; less than 15 minutes later, we were standing at the entrance to Wat Muang, which is only 10 minutes away by car or motorbike (you’ll probably need to rent one or take a motorbike taxi from the bus station).

Things to do at Wat Muang Buddha

Visit the famous viewpoint

I appreciated the policeman's kindness, but he dropped us off a bit too far from my original destination, a rice field that, according to Google Maps, lay east of the statue. Since the roads here are poorly signposted, it took us about 30 minutes to reach it – we often got lost and took a wrong turn. I don't think Nath was particularly thrilled with me. But when he saw the same impressive photo as I had, all was right with the world again.

Touch the fingers of Buddha

Although the sight of the Great Buddha is iconic in Thailand, many locals visit the 92-meter-high statue (which opened in 2008 and is the largest Buddha in Thailand) for good luck. This is especially true because of the long queues that form on New Year's Day, where people try to touch the Buddha's fingers. Nath and I, however, were more interested in photographing this spectacle than waiting in line.

Find Buddha's good side

I don't know about you, but sometimes, as a photographer, I get overwhelmed when I visit a place that visually impresses me deeply. I don't even know where to begin taking photos, so I just wander around and snap dozens, if not hundreds, of pictures within minutes. I recommend walking all the way around the base of Wat Muang Ang Thong to find the best angle to view the statue and capture it in the optimal light.

Eat regional food

I was surprised to learn, after my visit to the Great Buddha in Thailand, that the restaurant right next to the entrance served meat dishes. Many Buddhist sites around the world (such as Mount Koya in Japan) often only offer vegetarian food. Nath and I both had Pad Grapaw Gai (stir-fried chicken with holy basil), but this very authentic restaurant offered dozens of other dishes as well.

Stay and enjoy the sunset.

In early 2026, I returned to Wat Muang as part of a road trip (even with a rental car!) through central Thailand. What had I improved compared to my first trip in 2022? I visited the temple at sunset, which was impressive in many ways. Among other things, because I was practically alone there. Well, at least the only person: Unfortunately, the rice paddies were swarming with mosquitoes.

Is Wat Muang Ang Thong a worthwhile day trip destination from Bangkok?

To be honest, without my Thai companion, my day trip to the Big Buddha would probably have been a disaster. While the hour-long walk from the bus station to the statue wouldn't have bothered me, I don't think that's feasible for most tourists. To avoid potential stress, I have three suggestions. First: Stay overnight in Ang Thong and ask your hotel to arrange round-trip transportation.

The second option, assuming you want to visit the Great Buddha in Thailand as a day trip but don't want to rent a car, would be to take a taxi for the round trip from Bangkok – however, this costs around 2,000 baht per day. The last option would be to rent a car in Bangkok or, if you can find one, rent a motorbike in Ayutthaya (which is located between Bangkok and Ang Thong) or directly in Ang Thong.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting the Great Buddha of Ang Thong

Where is the Great Buddha located in Thailand?

The Great Buddha of Wat Muang is located in Ang Thong, about a two-hour drive north of Bangkok in the province of the same name. To get there, you can either rent a car and drive yourself or take a minibus from the Mo Chit bus station in Bangkok to Ang Thong and then try to find a connecting bus for the 10 km journey to the statue.

Which is the largest Buddha statue in Thailand?

Wat Muang Ang Thong houses Thailand's largest Buddha statue, standing 92 meters tall. It is the second largest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia and the ninth largest in the world, although it is not particularly well-known. Most tourists instead visit the large Buddha statues in Phuket above Patong Beach or in Koh Samui near Bo Phut and the airport.

Is the golden Buddha made of real gold?

Wat Muang Ang Thong is made of gold-painted concrete; this is true of most Buddha statues in Thailand. The Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit in Bangkok's Chinatown, however, is actually made entirely of gold. Be sure to see it when you visit Bangkok.

Conclusion

Visiting Thailand's tallest Buddha used to be a nightmare, but now it's much easier. That's because, with the invaluable help of my Thai friend Thai, I undertook the journey virtually blind, so you don't have to. Even if you had to walk across hot coals to see this Buddha, Thailand's tallest, it would still be a worthwhile experience. After admiring the golden statue up close and from afar, enjoy some local Thai cuisine at one of the food stalls right outside the entrance. Not sure what to do after you get back to Bangkok? Check out my Bangkok travel guide or book me to plan your Thailand trip for you.