Ilam – Thai Buddha Statue

A Buddha figure in the Thai manner, carved in thuja wood.

Raised, and out of a bathroom: the usual conventions
The mudra reads at a glance
Thai line: elongated, unlike Burmese work
Thuja wood, and it darkens over the years

$199.90

Free shipping on US orders over $180 · 30-day returns

Read the mudra first

The hand gesture is the first thing to look at on any Buddha figure. The earth-touching mudra marks the moment of awakening; an open palm reads as reassurance; hands in the lap, meditation.

The Thai line

Thai work is recognisable by the elongated silhouette and the flame finial rising from the head - conventions that set it apart from Burmese, Nepali or Chinese figures of the same subject.

Where to put it

Raised rather than on the floor, and not in a bathroom - the two conventions that hold across households. Beyond that it is a question of the room you have.

Bring spiritual peace and serene wisdom to your space with this antique Thai Buddha statue, a handcrafted figure of Buddhist art that embodies the profound teachings of Buddhism in Thailand. Crafted from Thuja Sutchuenensis wood, with options in antique bronze, concrete, porcelain, resin, or gold material, this 4.5-inch seated Buddha, also available as a standing Buddha, walking Buddha, or reclining Buddha, reflects the ancient Sukhothai style of Thailand.

Inspired by the Ayutthaya period and Thai Buddhist iconography, this Phra Buddha statue – often called Phra Phuttha – depicts the Buddha with a hand gesture in a meditative mudra, adorned with a carved robe, sitting or standing on a base that enhances its unique posture.

Originating from Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Burma, its wooden finish, sometimes accented with gilt or metal like thong, elevates any temple panel, garden, wall art, or home decor, making it a beautiful ornament for indoor or outdoor display. Place it on a high table, lifted shelf, or stand to symbolize the life of Gautama Buddha, and let its serene pose, inspired by Wat Phra and Wat Muang, inspire daily meditation in your spiritual sanctuary.

This antique wooden Burmese Buddha statue, a collectible Buddhist sculpture archived from the original on 2016, connects you to the rich history of Thai Buddhist culture, the Phuket Big Buddha legacy, and the reverence of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew.

Available in our shop, this Buddhist art piece, also crafted in stone, Chinese porcelain, or bronze Nepali Buddha statue styles, wards off negative energy, making it a perfect addition to your gallery, furniture, or as an antique Southeast Asian collectible. For those concerned about authenticity, rest assured: it’s ethically sourced from Thai artisans, honoring the culture of the Buddha of Thailand and the artistry of monks who depict the Buddha’s life over centuries.

Display it with reverence as a main icon in a temple, garden, or home, alongside a lotus or lamp, and let its handcrafted design – a popular figure in Asian art, from India to Burma – elevate your decor. View all our Thai Buddha statues online, explore options like the Great Buddha of Thailand, golden Buddha, or reclining Buddha images, and buy this Thai Buddha statue on sale to enhance your spiritual space with its ancient, royal charm at an affordable price.

Three things tell you more about a figure than its price.

Size, and where it will sit. Measure the shelf, the altar or the sill first. A figure that crowds its space reads as clutter however fine it is.

Material and finish. Cast metal is heavy and takes a patina over the years. Resin is far lighter and keeps its finish as it is. Stone sits between the two. The craft is listed on most pages here.

Which figure. Each form has its own meaning and its own gestures - Shakyamuni, Tara, Avalokiteshvara and the others are not interchangeable ornaments. It is worth reading what a figure represents before choosing it, and choosing the one that means something to you.

A small figure is not a lesser one. Scale has never been what makes one of these worth having.

Orders are processed within one to two business days, Monday to Friday, with tracking on every parcel. Delivery across the continental United States then takes ten to twenty-five days.

Shipping is a flat $9.95, and free on orders over $180. We do not ship outside the United States at this time.

Changed your mind? You have thirty days from delivery to request a return. A bowl that has been played is still returnable - we only ask that it comes back complete and in its original packing. Approved refunds go back to your original payment method within three business days. Full terms are on our Returns & Refunds page.

Made of something that ages

Metal takes a patina, wood darkens with handling. Both keep changing after you have bought them, which is the one thing resin never does.

Named on every page

Shakyamuni, Maitreya, Avalokiteshvara: the posture and the hands are what tell them apart. We name the figure so you choose the one that means something to you.

Small is not lesser

Scale has never been what makes one of these worth having. The smallest here sit on a working desk without crowding it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common Thai Buddha posture?

Seated, with the right hand reaching down to touch the earth - the gesture called bhumisparsha, marking the moment of awakening. Standing and reclining forms are also common in Thai work.

What does the hand gesture mean?

Each mudra carries a meaning: the earth-touching gesture for awakening, an open palm for reassurance, hands in the lap for meditation. It is worth knowing which one a figure shows before choosing it.

Is it alright to touch a Buddha statue?

In a temple, no - figures there are treated as objects of reverence, not handled. At home the convention is gentler, though the head is generally not touched. Common courtesy is to keep a figure above floor level.

Is it okay to have a Buddha statue at home?

Many people do, Buddhist or not. The usual guidance is about placement rather than permission: keep it raised rather than on the floor, and not in a bathroom. Beyond that, it is a matter of intention.

Where a figure sits

The conventions are simple and widely shared: raised rather than on the floor, out of a bathroom, and the head is not handled or displayed on its own. Beyond that it is your decision. We give you the conventions because they are easy to miss, not to tell you what your home should look like.

A bronze seated figure on a wooden bench, raised clear of the floor

Cast, then finished by hand

These figures are cast in bronze or copper alloy, then chased, gilded and set with turquoise and coral by hand. The stones sit in cut recesses rather than being glued to the surface. Gilding is thin by nature and wears at the places a figure is touched, which is why old pieces are brightest where nobody reaches.