The Giant Swing
After walking down the street a short way, take the next left to loop back to Bamrung Meuang Road, where you turn left again so that you'll cross paths with the way you came. However, from here continue on along Bamrung Meuang Road. You'll again cross a canal and through the old city walls.
About five minutes' walk down Bamrung Meuang Road will bring you to the Giant Swing, siting in a kind of traffic circle. The swing stands nearly 100 feet high. A sort of contest was held here until the 1930's but it was banned after several deaths.
The Giant Swing stands in front of Wat Suthat temple. This is one of the most important temples in Thailand. It has been under royal patronage since Bangkok's founding, and supplies priest for many important royal ceremonies. Inside the wiharn is a revered Buddha image surrounded by richly painted walls.
By now, you have probably been walking for at least two hours, maybe more like three. However, if you're game for more you have a couple of options. You can continue in a westerly direction along Botphram Road (which changes names to Kanlaya Mitri along the way). After crossing another canal, you will come to the Defense Ministry building and then to the walls of the Grand Palace. Turning right will take you to the City Pillar (Lak Meuang) shrine and around to the front entrance of the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang and National Museum.
Alternatively, you can walk away from the Giant Swing along the roads passing Wat Suthat on either side - Tritong Road and Burapha Road. Burapha is the recommended route. Turn right as you exit Wat Suthat and then right again at the next street. Not far down you will see a Vishnu shrine on the broad path separating Burapha and Siriphong roads. The walk is broad and has plenty of trees for shade. Further down you come to Romaneenart Park, which stands on the site of the old city jail. Some of the guard towers and the eastern wall of the jail have been left standing. A shady seat next to one of the many fountains makes a good place to cool down.
Just past the park, the two roads merge together. Continue walking down the street, which you'll notice is lined mostly with gun shops. Another block or so will bring you to The Old Siam plaza, where you can find western fast food outlets as well as a food court to eat in air conditioned comfort. From the Old Siam, you can dive into Chinatown or continue down Triphet or Chakraphet road to the river, where you can catch the River Express boat service to a riverside hotel, or to the Taksin Bridge Skytrain station.
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