Giant Swing, Bangkok | Timings, Wat Suthat, Swing Ceremony

Ways to Experience this attraction

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Giant Swing, Bangkok Overview

Located right in front of Wat Suthat is a striking Giant Swing towering at the height of 21.15 meters. Nestled in the heart of busy square between Wat Suthat and Bangkok City Hall is a Giant Swing making for a remarkable sight even from a distance. Initially established in the year 1784, the swing went under renovation to be replaced in 2004 with a newly crafted frame made of golden teak.

The process of creating a swing was a complicated task comprising of hand carving and precise painting that involved civil engineers to the Forestry Department and Brahmin priests. Today, the swing is a towering structure adorned with two pillars and the intricately carved crossbar. It also serves as a centre of sacred ritual that takes place every year after the rice harvest. In the ceremony, young men ride high in the air at the swing to catch a bag of silver coins with their teeth.

Things to Do at the Giant Swing

1. Wat Suthat Thep Warram

As, the Giant Swing, guards the Wat Suthat Thep Warram also known as Wat Suthat, this is the first attraction in the Giant Swing vicinity. Approximately a 13th-century chapel established by King Rama I, Wat Suthat houses a massive bronze Buddha relic in a highly defined set up of wall murals and hand-carved teakwood door panels.

2. Sarn Choa Po Seu

A blend of Thai and Chinese religious significance, Sarn Choa Po Seu, also known as the Tiger God Shrine is yet another ancient Thai temple. Devotees visit the shrine on Chinese New Year’s day to pay homage to the Chinese deity, Tua Lao Aie, who is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.

3. Lan Kon Mueng

Also known as Bangkok People’s Square, the Lan Kon Mueng is situated opposite to the city hall. It is an exclusive recreational site where locals bring their pets, go for walks, exercise, meditate and relax.

4. Devasathan

Formerly established to host religious ceremonies in the 16th century by King Rama I, Devasathan Shrine is a significant ancient Brahmin temple. Shiva sanctuary, Narayana sanctuary and Ganesha sanctuary are the three vital sections of the Devasathan Shrine.

The Swing Ceremony

With a rich mythological significance, the Swing Ceremony, locally known as Triyampavai-Tripavai was a yearly event held till 1935. During the Swing Ceremony, Thai men would swing from this 21-metre massive Giant Swing, attempting to grab the bag of coins hanging off the swing with their teeth.

The Swing Ceremony was an exclusive event hosted during the reign of King Rama I. The event symbolised the Hindu legend of how the world began. The pillars of the swing represented the mountains while the circular base represented the earth.
After celebrating 150 years of this deathly event, the Swing Ceremony was abolished since 1935 upon several deaths and casualties.

Giant Swing History

The Giant Swing is an iconic Brahman 21-metre tall structure set up in 1784. The Giant Swing opened up to the Swing Ceremony which was a fatal event of swinging as high as one could get to grab a bag of coins at least 50 ft from the ground. With constant renovations, the Giant Swing went through its latest reconstruction in 2007. The original version of the Giant Swing is preserved at the Bangkok National Museum.