Bangkok Wat Sutat (Great Swing)

One of the oldest temples with a sweeping elegant roof and the site of the original Giant Swing ceremony. A huge teak arch - all that remains of the original Giant Swing - lies in the grounds in front of the temple. The swing was used in a ceremony to give thanks for a good rice harvest.

Young men would ride the swing high in the air, suspended 80 feet from the ground when in full swing, and try to grab a bag of silver coins with their teeth. Some fairly severe injuries and a few deaths led to the dangerous swing ceremony's discontinuation after 1932, but the thanksgiving ceremony is still celebrated in mid-December after the rice harvest.

Open: Daily 08:30 - 17:00
Location: 146 Banrung Muang Road, Old City (Rattanakosin)
Admission: 20 baht

Learn more about temples: Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Mahathat, Wat Traimit, Wat Saket, Other Temples