The Giant Swing, or Sao Ching Cha in Thai, was built in 1784 by King Rama I. It is located at Bamrung Muang Road, directly in front of Wat Suthat. It is made up of two huge 25-meter tall teak pillars supporting an ornately carved cross-beam. The swing is of Brahmin origin, and was used for religious rites. During such ceremonies, teams of four people would swing from the beam while one of the four would attempt to bite off a sack of gold hanging from the top of the pole. It is a rite to venerate the Hindu deity Shiva, symbolising the rising and setting of the sun. It is said that Shiva and his consort Uma, were forbidden from swinging in heaven, because it causes floods on earth. So Shiva demanded that the practise be continued on earth, to ensure moderate rain and good harvest. However, the rites on the Giant Swing caused so many deaths that it was abolished in 1935.
The Giant Swing as we see today is a replica of the original. It is said to have been paid for by the company founded by the son of Anna Leonowens, the English governess made famous in The King and I.
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