Giant Swing
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(920)
Located in Old Bangkok, the Giant Swing was built in 1784 by King Rama I during the early establishment of Bangkok. The ceremony was held by putting a Hindu priest on the swing to welcome Isara down to Earth. The swing ceremony was discontinued following the reign of Rama II, as it was perceived as inoperable due to damages caused by the lightning. Later on in 1920, the swing was renovated and moved to its current location and the ceremony was revived for another 15 years before it was indefinitely discontinued after several fatal accidents.
The swing was renovated in 1959 until the wooden pillars were showing some of the serious damages after 45 years of use. In 2005, the government initiated the renovation of the swing for the Royal Ceremony which was to occur in 2007, using 35-meter tall teak tree trunks to maintain the structure of the swing. The rest were used for support. The timbers of the original swing are currently stored and partly exhibited at the Bangkok National Museum.
UNESCO was showing interest in the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat Temple in the background and eventually nominated it as a Heritage Site in 2005. In the background beside Wat Suthat, there is nearby the Lan Kon Mueang (People's Plaza) located in front of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority Building which sometimes hosts activities. If you feel like satisfying your sweet tooth, you can visit the nearby famous Mont Nomsod shop where they exclusively sell fresh milk and toast of various toppings.
TakeMeTour's Review
The Giant Swing is definitely one-of-a-kind, so do spend some time checking it and also the surrounding areas out. We personally think that Old Bangkok is one of Bangkok's most charming quarters! Feel free to wander and explore other landmarks in the neighborhood such as Wat Suthat Temple, Mont Nomsod cafe, and shops selling Buddhist-related products. It's simply a fascinating sight to see!
