Bangkok’s Giant Swing set for urgent repairs amid safety concerns
Repairs to the Giant Swing in Bangkok are set to kick off following concerns about its structural condition.
Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) City Planning and Development Office, announced that the repairs will follow an inspection conducted with the Thailand Structural Engineers Association.
The inspection revealed major damage, including splitting, spalling, and inclined cracks, with the wood also found to be soft, damp, and peeling.
These issues have been attributed to prolonged exposure to the elements, extreme temperature changes, and the natural ageing of materials.
The Thailand Structural Engineers Association recommended urgent reinforcement of the Giant Swing before the onset of summer storms, followed by a detailed inspection to determine appropriate restoration techniques.
Thaiwut mentioned that different restoration methods require varying levels of work, costs, and time, with all repairs needing to comply with Fine Arts Department guidelines.
The City Planning and Development Office plans to hold a bidding process to select a contractor for the reinforcement work before the summer storms, reported Bangkok Post.
Additionally, a consultant will be engaged to study restoration methods, with the results submitted to the Fine Arts Department for approval.
The Giant Swing, known locally as Sao Chingcha, is located outside City Hall in Phra Nakhon district and was registered as a historical site in the Royal Gazette on November 16, 1988.
The Fine Arts Department has declared the structure to be in critical condition and authorised the City Planning and Development Office to proceed with repairs.
Restoration guidelines have been issued to preserve the landmark’s historical significance, with caution against using modern materials.
An engineering analysis is emphasised to prevent unnecessary structural modifications. The last major restoration of the Giant Swing, completed by the BMA and the Fine Arts Department, concluded in December 2017.
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