Saochingcha Sub District

POSTCODE: 10200

One of twelve sub-districts of Phra Nakhon District is Sao Chingcha. Phra Nakhon has the most sub-districts of any district in Bangkok. Sao Chingcha runs along part of the Rop Krung Canal and borders sister sub-district San Chaopho Suea. Access to the other side of the canal can be had by taking ether Tanao Road or Dinso Road.

Perhaps the most interesting place in Sao Chingcha is the Giant Swing. This is a 21 metre tall structure located in front of Wat Suthat. The history of the swing dates back to 1784. The swing was used during the Brahman Festival when men would attempt to slingshot themselves into the air to retrieve a bag of gold coins. If they were able to do this, they were allowed to keep the gold. The practice was stopped in 1935 because of the danger and many people who attempted this were either injured or died.

Made from teak wood from the Phrae province, the swing has been renovated or rebuilt a few times in its history with the recent being in 2007. The original swing is now in the Bangkok National Museum. The swing is not operational these days and serves as a monument.

Wat Mahannapharam is significant in that it started the first public school in Thailand in 1884. King Rama V had instructed Temples to encourage and bring education to the masses. A statue of Rama V has since been placed at the temple to commemorate the establishment of the school.