PHUKET, Thailand — A new cultural attraction is taking shape beneath the waters of Phuket, where giant sculptures inspired by the Ramayana are set to turn the seabed off Koh Racha Yai into an underwater art destination.
The RAYA Underwater Art Museum is being developed as a combination of underwater art installation and artificial reef, with the project designed to bring together culture, marine conservation and diving tourism. The Bangkok Post reports that the attraction is expected to open as a new underwater museum experience in Phuket.
Ramayana sculptures will headline the underwater attraction
The project began with the installation of a large Hanuman sculpture earlier this year. Four additional sculptures — Rama, Ravana, The Road and Suphannamatcha — are planned for installation in Siam Bay, depicting characters and scenes connected to the Ramayana’s “Attack on Lanka” episode.
The additional sculptures were expected to be completed in September, with installation planned during calmer sea conditions in November and December. Once the works are in place, divers could begin visiting the completed underwater site from late 2026 or early 2027, depending on sea conditions and required safety inspections.
More than an art project
RAYA is also being developed with marine restoration in mind.
According to The Phuket News, the wider project includes 73 underwater elements planned at depths of roughly 12 to 19 metres. These include Hanuman-themed sculptures, 3D-printed fence structures and artificial reef units intended to provide structures where coral and marine life can develop.
The project involves Thailand and South Korea’s Rotary Foundation districts, government agencies, private companies and community groups, according to reporting on the development.
Hanuman sculpture faced an early setback
The project has already encountered challenges beneath the waves.
The original Hanuman sculpture was installed in April but was damaged during the southwest monsoon after strong currents and underwater waves affected the structure. Authorities subsequently warned divers and dive operators to stay away from the site while the sculpture remained unstable.
The sculpture was later repaired and reinstalled, with officials saying the site has been monitored and inspected before being reopened to divers.
Phuket’s underwater tourism gets a new dimension
The development comes as Phuket continues to promote its marine attractions and diving industry. Rather than placing art inside a traditional gallery, the RAYA project puts the sculptures directly into the marine environment — creating an experience where visitors can encounter Thai cultural imagery while also exploring an artificial-reef setting.
If the remaining installations are completed as planned, visitors could soon find Rama, Hanuman, Ravana and other Ramayana figures beneath the Andaman Sea, giving Phuket a distinctly different kind of cultural attraction.
The project’s next major step will be the installation of the remaining sculptures and subsequent safety assessments before the completed underwater attraction can fully open to divers.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
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