Bangkok Wat Suthat (Giant Swing)
Historic Site in Bangkok
The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) is a striking religious structure and a prominent landmark in Bangkok, located in front of Wat Suthat. Painted in a vibrant Chinese-red, the swing has a storied history tied to an ancient Brahmanic ceremony.
A Ceremonial Relic
The swing was once central to the annual Triyampavai-Tripavai ceremony, part of the 12 royal rituals observed in the Thai lunar calendar. During the event, young men would use the swing to propel themselves high into the air to retrieve a bag of gold suspended from a pole 75 feet above the ground. However, due to frequent fatalities, the ceremony was banned in the 1930s.
Historical Significance
Erected in 1784, just two years after Bangkok was established as the new capital, the Giant Swing symbolizes the strong Brahmanic influence in early Siam. Its construction was authorized by King Rama I (1782–1809) after a Brahmin named Kratai sought royal permission to uphold Brahmanic practices. Alongside the swing, three Brahmanic temples were built in the city’s heart.
The Swing and Wat Suthat
In the early 19th century, a massive 25-foot-tall Buddha statue, Phra Sri Sakyamuni, was transported by boat from Sukhothai to Bangkok. Wat Suthat, featuring one of the tallest wiharns (prayer halls) in the city, was constructed to enshrine this statue.
- Architectural Highlights:
- The temple’s cloister features more than 150 Buddha images, originally used as ballast in rice boats from China.
- Murals within the wiharn depict the last 24 lives of the Buddha, while the columns illustrate scenes from Bangkok’s early days.
Reconstruction and Restoration
The original height of the Giant Swing remains uncertain, but it stood tall for over a century before being replaced in 1920 during King Rama VI’s reign. This version was crafted from teak and underwent renovations in 1947 and 1970. However, by 2006, it had deteriorated significantly and was replaced with the current replica, ensuring its legacy endures as one of Bangkok’s iconic landmarks.
The Giant Swing not only stands as a memorial to an abolished tradition but also as a symbol of Bangkok’s rich cultural and religious history.
The Bangkok Wat Suthat (Giant Swing) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bangkok!
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Visiting Bangkok Wat Suthat (Giant Swing)
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