3 Best Sights in Pathumwan, Bangkok

Completed in 1956 to accompany the opening of the Erawan Hotel (now the Grand Hyatt Erawan), this shrine is one of the more active and highly revered ones, with many people stopping by on their way home to pray to a gleaming image of Brahma, the Hindu creator god. Thai dancers in traditional dress and a small orchestra perform for a fee to increase the likelihood that your wish will be granted. Even with a traffic jam right outside the gates, the mix of rhinestone-costumed dancers and fervent worshippers is an intoxicating sight. Entry is free, but many leave a small donation. There are also fantastic views of the shrine from the Rajaprasong Skywalk up above, from where many visitors take pictures.

The large, striking white building opened in 2008 and is the main showcase for cutting-edge contemporary art, music, theater, and film in Bangkok. Frequent exhibitions include works by Thai and international artists. Inside, the curving stairway of the central atrium is reminiscent of the Guggenheim in New York City.

Fashion, education, and diverse shopping converge in a dense network of streets and alleys called Siam Square in the heart of downtown. Thailand's most prestigious college, Chulalongkorn University, is next door, along with neon-splashed malls, designer boutiques, trendy restaurants, and street food. At night along the sidewalk, a bohemian and latest-fashions outdoor market scene unfolds.