Bangkok – The Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has revealed that his office is considering reviving an old Brahmin ceremony at the capital’s landmark ‘Giant Swing’. The ritual was discontinued 86 years ago for safety reasons.
The Giant Swing is a religious structure in Phra Nakhon district. It is located in front of Wat Suthat Thepphawararam and the BMA headquarters.
Bangkok Governor Asawin Kwanmuang explained that the suggestion came at a recent meeting of BMA officials. The ancient ceremony was discontinued in 1932 during the reign of King Rama the Seventh. The BMA is concerned that the old ritual could be forgotten and thus seeks to introduce it to the younger generation.
The governor said that the campaign needs approval from related agencies including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Bureau of the Royal Household, and the Fine Arts Department, amongst others. He estimated that his office would take at least a week to prepare the details of the campaign before proposing it to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Pol. Gen. Asawin also indicated that the Giant Swing itself is being renovated, adding that the process would be completed this month. The Bangkok Governor said if the campaign receives a green light, the BMA will construct a replica of the Giant Swing for the ceremony, in order to preserve the integrity of the original one.
