The district is divided into four sub-districts (khwaeng).
1. Rong Mueang รองเมือง
2. Wang Mai วังใหม่
3. Pathum Wan ปทุมวัน
4. Lumphini ลุมพินี

Pathum Wan (Thai: ปทุมวัน) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by seven other districts (from north clockwise): Ratchathewi (across the Khlong Saen Saep canal), Watthana, Khlong Toei, Sathon, Bang Rak, Pom Prap Sattru Phai (across the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal), and Dusit.

One of the major tourist attractions is the Jim Thompson House. It is a complex of Thai wooden houses formerly home to James H.W. Thompson, an American who lived in Thailand, developed Thai silk industry, and brought it to fame to the Western world. It is now a museum filled with antique decor.

The Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection is a sacred place where people come to pray and make wishes to Brahma. Flowers, wooden elephants, or traditional Thai dances are returned when a wish is granted. The Trimurti shrine and Ganesha shrine at CentralWorld are popular places to pray as well.

Also in Pathum Wan are the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (a horse racing track operating every other Saturday), the National Stadium, and Lumphini Park, the first park in Bangkok. The Lumphini Boxing Stadium where traditional Thai boxing matches are held has been moved to a new site on Ram Intra Road in Bang Khen District.

Shopping

Pathum Wan is best known for its shopping centers. Siam Center is the oldest one in the area. Opened in 1973, it is now flanked by Siam Discovery Center and Siam Paragon.

One of the most crowded and popular to local people and tourists is MBK Center (also known as mah boon krong). A covered, air-conditioned pedestrian bridge over Phaya Thai Road connects to a congested sister shopping center, the Bonanza Mall, which mostly sells inexpensive clothing and fashion accessories.

Siam Square, unlike others, is a shopping area that consists of a block of buildings and lots of small roads full of shops. There are two cinemas in Siam Square, built in the 1970s and run by the Apex chain: the Scala theater, a stand alone movie theater, offers a single, big screen; the Lido is a small multi-plex with three screens (now is no longer in service). Another single big screen theater built in the same era, Siam, was destroyed during the 2010 Thai riots. Besides shops, many exam preparation schools are found in Siam Square.

The Ratchaprasong intersection is flanked by Central World Plaza, BigC Ratchadamri, Narayana Phan, Gaysorn and Central Chit Lom shopping malls

Diplomatic missions

Embassy of Australia
Embassy of Colombia
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Embassy of Finland
Embassy of Hungary
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of Italy
Embassy of Japan
Embassy of Kazakhstan
Embassy of the Netherlands
Embassy of New Zealand
Embassy of Poland
Embassy of Qatar
Embassy of South Africa
Embassy of Switzerland
Embassy of Ukraine
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
Embassy of the United Kingdom
Embassy of the United States
Consulate-General of Uzbekistan
Embassy of Vietnam

Transportation

MRT subway stations in the district are Hua Lamphong, Sam Yan, Si Lom, and Lumphini along the southern border of Pathum Wan.
BTS skytrain's main interchange station, Siam, provides connections between the Si Lom Line and Sukhumvit Line.

BTS stations Sukhumvit Line.

• Siam
  (RTGS: Sayam)
  
• Chit Lom
  
• Phloen Chit

Si Lom Line

• W1 National Stadium
  
• CEN Siam
  
• S1 Ratchadamri

Express boats run along the narrow and polluted Khlong Saen Saeb, a canal on the northern district border.

Rail

Hua Lamphong is the central train station of Bangkok and the State Railway of Thailand.