- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมแห่งกรุงเทพมหานคร BACC), 939 Rama I Rd (BTS National Stadium), ☎ +66-2-214-6630(-8). Tu-Su 10AM-10PM, M closed. Interactive museums are the new hype in the artistic community of Bangkok, thus we have another interactive museum. Visitors can interact with different kinds of arts, such as performance arts, music, painting and film, in different ways. On display are more than 300 works by Thai and international artists. Free.
- Erawan Shrine (ศาลพระพรหม Saan Phra Phrom), 494 Ratchadamri Rd (BTS Chit Lom, in front of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel at Ratchaprasong intersection), ☎ +66-2-254-1234. 6AM-midnight daily. A Hindu shrine that houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma. Free.
- Jim Thompson's House (พิพิธภัณฑ์จิม ทอมป์สัน), 6 Soi Kasemsan 2 (BTS National Stadium), ☎ +66-2-216-7368. 9AM-5PM daily. The infamous CIA operative Jim Thompson revived the Thai silk industry after World War II and had this house assembled from six traditional Thai-style houses. You must take the guided tour through the buildings, which are given in plenty of foreign languages. Get there early to beat the heat. 100 baht.
- Siam Ocean World (สยามโอเชี่ยนเวิลด์), 1st-2nd Floor, Siam Paragon, 991 Rama 1 Rd (BTS Siam), ☎ +66-2-687-2000. 9AM-10PM daily. The largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, exhibiting over 30,000 marine animals from all over the world and featuring a wide range of rare and exotic species. The area of the aquarium spans over 10,000 square meters, as wide as two football fields. The aquarium also offers a "dive with the sharks" program where you can scuba dive in the oceanarium side by side with sharks and rays, plus a "Sanyo 4D Xventure" with specially rigged seats to add a kick to the typical 3D movie experience. 900 baht.
- Wat Pathum Wanaram (วัดปทุมวนาราม), Rama I Rd (BTS Siam, between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld Plaza). 7AM-6PM daily. Right between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld Plaza in the middle of consumerism, this temple is often overlooked. While it is not as remarkable as the temples found in Rattanakosin, it does remind us of the spiritual history of Thailand. Wat Pathum was founded in 1857 by King Mongkut (Rama IV) when the area was surrounded by canals and rice fields. It was built to function as a place of worship close to the Sra Pathum Palace. At the temple is the Phra Meru Mas, a reconstruction of the crematorium of the Princess Mother, whose remains were transferred here after her cremation at Sanam Luang. During the May 2010 red shirt protests, this temple functioned as a safe haven for protesting women and children. Free.
