Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing, Bangkok

Wat Suthat Thep Wararam is located on Bamrung Muang Road at the center of Ratanakosin island. Wat Suthat is one of the first class royal temples in Thailand. Construction was started in 1807 and finished in 1847. "Suthat Thep Wararam" means "Suthat Sana Nakhon, a city located on the Mount Sumeru, the centre of the universe, where Indra is dwelling"

Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai province to be placed in Wat Suthat in 1808. The Buddha image is over 8 meters tall. Inside the hall, wall paintings depict about the legend of Jataka Tales, 24 previous lives of the Buddha.

Outside stand many Chinese pagodas, bronze horses, and statues of Chinese soldiers, which have been brought from China as ballast in rice boats during the reign of Rama I.

The Giant Swing is located just right in front of the temple. The swing ceremony was annually held up until the 1930s but was discontinued to the high fatality rate as young men tried to swing high enough to grab a sack of gold on a pole about 25 metres in the air.

Admission Fee : Baht 20

Open daily: 8.30 am. to 9.00 pm.

Activities : Sightseeing

Location : Bangkok
Type : Historical Site, Sightseeing

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