Sri Mariamman Temple

To mix things up a little, why not head to this kaleidoscopic Hindu temple in Silom? While certainly much smaller in scope than the 3 wats listed above, Sri Mariamman Temple offers visitors insight into the Hindu religion. In addition, it speaks to the everyday culture of Indian-Thais living in Bangkok. Thai locals sometimes call the temple Wat Khaek: ‘khaek’ being the colloquial name for Indians living in Thailand — a term that the latter don’t appreciate, as the word implies ‘outsider’ or ‘guest’. Regardless what you refer to it as, Sri Mariamman stands out amongst Thai wats for its exuberant colour and design typical of Southern Indian architectural style.
Visitors already in the Silom area should definitely stop by this exciting temple, which is officially called Wat Phra Si Maha Umathewi and dates back to the late 1800s. No photographs are allowed inside the temple. But the main photo op is outside anyway: even tourists who don’t set foot inside will want to capture the structure’s bright exterior featuring countless carvings of Hindu deities painted in vibrant colours. If you do explore the temple’s interior, you’ll find a Buddha statue along with important figures in Hindu mythology like Ganesha, Hanuman, and Krishna.