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Published on September 10, 2007

Held in line with Brahmin and Buddhist traditions, the ceremony will begin at 5pm and will be broadcast on TV.

In the ceremony, Their Majesties will pay respects to a Buddha statue at the Giant Swing and light incense candles before assigning a Brahmin priest chief to bring lit offerings to pay homage to Hindu gods at the nearby Devasathan Brahmin Temple. After that, Their Majesties will sprinkle holy water on the Giant Swing and graciously grant pink rayon that will be tied around the iconic structure.

Following the ceremony, Their Majesties will visit a nearby exhibition about the Giant Swing's history.

"The renovation of the Giant Swing has been completed in this very auspicious year when His Majesty is celebrating his 80th birthday anniversary," Deputy Bangkok City Clerk Ratthapol Meethanathavorn said.

He said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would present His Majesty with nine gold Phra Si Sakayamuni statues, nine silver Phra Si Sakayamuni statues, a set of nine Phra Sao Chingcha statues and a statue of Trimurti (Hindu Trinity) on this occasion.

 "We will also present His Majesty with a model of the Giant Swing," he said.

The model is scaled down to 1:25 of the actual structure's size but it is made of gold teakwood from the same trees that were used to make the Giant Swing.

The new poles for the Giant Swing came from Phrae and they are over 100 years old.

Ratthapol said the three-day celebrations for the renovated Giant Swing would begin tomorrow with a ceremony to declare Bangkok and Phrae sister cities after Phrae had given six gold teak trees to Bangkok for the renovation of the Giant Swing.

Then, winners of Amazing Giant Swing Photo Contest will receive awards at a presentation ceremony. Other activities include tram tours around inner Bangkok and rare performances by Thai orchestras.

On Wednesday night, many national artists will perform for classical Thai dramas. After that, outstanding dances will be on show.

On Thursday, tram tours will be available from 10am to 4pm. Interesting performances will be staged between 6pm and 9pm.

During the three-day celebrations, professional photographers will set up a studio for people to have their photos taken with the Giant Swing in the background between 4pm and 9pm.

Donations from the services will go to the Giant Swing Fund, which will provide money for activities relating to the iconic structure.

Mayuree  Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation