Giant Swing gets new look

Initial repairs on the ancient giant swing near city hall have been completed by a private firm to allow the swing to withstand bad weather until the end of the rainy season, when the swing will undergo major restoration work.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin cut the ribbon during yesterday's handover ceremony of the swing, which was repaired free of charge by the IETL Company under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's City Planning Department.

Yonchok Sukmak, director of the department, said it had taken 58 days and 3.39 million baht for the IETL Co to give the giant swing a fresh look.

The money was spent on cleaning it, checking damage caused by termites, eradicating the termites, putting epoxy glue in its connecting parts, coating it with carbon fibre sheets and giving it a new red paint.

The company believes the swing can now do without repairs for another five years.

Mr Apirak said a BMA special panel was looking for a suitable piece of golden teak wood, 60cm in diametre and 25m in length, for the big facelift by screening wood from Phrae and Tak and would report to the restoration co-ordinating committee, which he himself chairs.
Bangkok Post 19 July 2005 www.bangkokpost.com