Giant Swing , Bangkok

The unique red frame of the giant swing on a traffic island outside Wat Suthat is one of Bangkok's most distinctive landmarks. First erected in 1784, soon after the foundation of Rattanakosin City, it was used during a religious ceremony held in December each year following the rice harvest. A team of three people would swing up into the air attempting to grab a bag of coins that suspended 25 meters up on a pole. A number of accidents and fatalities led to the eradication of the swing ceremony in 1932, after which the original frame fell into disrepair. It was completely restored in 2006 and old timbers from the original swing are now in the National Museum. Nearby are many shops selling religious artifacts and souvenirs. -Alyson Hillbourne

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