Billionaire unveils plan to build £33million 30-storey high giant gold Buddha twice the size of Statue of Liberty
A BILLIONAIRE has unveiled his plan to build a 30-storey high giant gold Buddha TWICE the size of the Statue of Liberty.
Cambodian tourism tycoon Sok Kong is on a mission to dwarf the US landmark with his ambitious proposal.
He intends to build the world’s biggest Buddha statue at the top of the remote Bokor Mountain on the outskirts of the city of Kampot.
The sprawling 100m tall monument will take pride of place in the southern part of the country – if the plans go ahead.
The £34million project has reportedly been given the green light by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
He is said to have approved the grand design after being impressed by the plans as they reflect the Khmer culture.
Kong has now brought his vision to life by sharing a string of glossy images showing how his lavish Buddha would look.
Snaps show a gigantic golden seated Buddha looking out on the city, surrounded by an imposing temple.
Visitors will have to scale hundreds of stone steps to reach the landmark – but it boasts stunning views of the Cambodian coastline.
Kong, who is considered one of Cambodia’s two “most successful entrepreneurs”, declared that the mammoth statue would become a tourist magnet as well as a holy shrine for Buddhists.
The uber-wealthy president of the Sokha Hotel said the monument would be dedicated to promoting happiness, prosperity and long-lasting peace.
His plans have been welcomed by religious leaders, despite some snubbing the project as a “waste of money,” The Khmer Times reported.
Venerable Khim Sorn, chief of the secretariat of the Mohanikaya Monk Order, said it will provide a welcome boost for Buddhism.
He explained: “I don’t consider it as a waste of money because the statue will stand for many hundred years of generations to come and for the Buddhist followers in the world.”
Ven Nhet Chandara, chief of Kampot Provincial Monks, added: “I am really happy that tycoon Kong raised such a project.
“The establishment of the statue will become part of the religious history of the country.”
When completed, the enormous Buddha will leave the current largest similar statue, The Big Buddha in Hong Kong, in the shade – as it stands at a mere 34m.
It will also outshine the Statue of Liberty, which is only 46m tall without its pedestal.
Despite provisional approval from various ministries, there is still some tweaking needed to the design to make sure that it fits in with Cambodian culture.
Kong launched a crowdfunder to help finance his costly project, calling on locals and international Buddhists to donate.