Sao Ching-Cha

Lonely Planet review

It is easy to forget the powers of the Brahmans in Thai Buddhism, unless you happen upon the giant red poles of Sao Ching-Cha (the Giant Swing). During the second lunar month (usually in January), Brahman beliefs dictate that Shiva comes down to earth for a 10-day residence and should be welcomed by great ceremonies (and apparently great degrees of daring) including the acrobatics of the Great Swing.

The ceremony saw the brave or foolish swing in ever-higher arcs in an effort to reach a bag of gold suspended from a 15m bamboo pole.

The Brahmans enjoyed a mystical position within the royal court, primarily in the coronation rituals. But after the 1932 revolution the Brahmans' waning power was effectively terminated and the festival, including the swinging, was discontinued during the reign of Rama VII.

Sao Ching-Cha is two long blocks south of the Democracy Monument and outside Wat Suthat. Despite no longer being used, the Giant Swing was recently replaced with a newer model, made from six giant teak logs. The original is kept at the National Museum.