Giant Hanuman Statue Installed Underwater Near Racha Yai to Launch Phuket’s Marine Art Museum

A massive 6.5-meter statue of Hanuman, the Monkey King from the Thai epic Ramakien, has been installed on the seabed near Racha Yai island, marking a major step toward the creation of an underwater museum off Phuket’s coast.

The installation took place in Siam Bay, about 18 kilometers south of Rawai Pier, while Songkran celebrations were underway on the island. According to Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the process of lowering and securing the sculpture underwater took five days, from April 11 to 15.

Before deployment, the artwork was unveiled to the media at Phuket’s deep-sea port, where its scale drew attention. The structure stands nearly 6.5 meters tall and stretches approximately 20 meters in width. Even after installation, the top of the statue remains at least 14 meters below the water’s surface.

Constructed from specially designed concrete, the sculpture features a textured, layered surface that promotes coral attachment and allows water to circulate naturally. The material has been widely used in artificial reef projects around Phuket and is considered safe for marine ecosystems.

Hanuman is the first of four planned figures from the Ramakien epic. Additional statues representing Rama, Ravana, and Suvannamaccha are expected to follow, forming a complete underwater exhibition.

The project, known as the Underwater Art Museum Raya Phuket and part of the Magical of Save Underwater World initiative, was originally scheduled to launch during the Thailand Biennale. However, only the first installation was completed shortly before the event concluded.

Siam Bay was selected deliberately due to its popularity as a beginner-friendly diving site, particularly for Discover Scuba Diving experiences. However, the high number of inexperienced divers has placed increasing pressure on the area’s natural coral reefs.

By introducing artificial structures like the Hanuman statue, authorities aim to redirect diving activity and reduce environmental strain on fragile reef systems. The underwater museum is expected to become both a new tourist attraction and a tool for marine conservation.