File:Bangkok Sao Chingcha1.jpg

English: Sao Chingcha or The Giant Swing is situated in the field north of Wat Suthat Thep Wararamon , Sao Chingchasubdistrict, PhraNakorn district. It was first built in 1784 during the reign of King Rama I to be used in the Swing ceremony “Triyampawai”. According to Brahmin belief, this ceremony is held to celebrate a return of Shiva and Vishnu to earth in the second month in the lunar calendar. This ceremony was however discontinued in 1935, during the reign of King Rama VII. The giant swing was made of two large wooden pillars in crimson, measuring approximately 21 metres from the base to the top. The top features a traditional Thai pattern with crafted corbels. A pair of smaller teak timbers with a lathed top flanks each pillar at the base. The base itself is in round shape with 10.05 metres in diameter, displaying a series of lotus-shaped pedestals. There is a large piece of wood with a plate inscribed details of the construction. This architecture is highly valuable and is considered a symbol of Bangkok. On 22th November, 1949, the Department of Fine Arts registered as the National Historic Site. There were some replacement of the main pillars since its first construction in 1784 through the latest restoration in 2006, and the current replacements for the old pillars made of golden teakwood from Den Chai district in Phrae.