Lose Yourself in Bangkok’s Best Bookshops
14/10/2019
Tags
Lose Yourself in Bangkok’s Best Bookshops
Bangkok might not be famous for its book shops, but beneath the swerving BTS lines, tucked inside malls and markets are a slew one-stop literary spots. In anticipation of the first-ever Neilson Hays International Literary Festival (16-17 Nov), we take a look at Bangkok’s best book shops in which to lose yourself.
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover
This lofty, marvellous mezzanine perched atop Central Embassy is lined with books like a low-key, modern-day Bodleian or Livraria Lello. Open House shelves an impressive selection of titles with a design bent, covering photography, children's books, cookbooks, and fiction, plus rare out-of-print, collector’s and limited editions. A good spot for eyeballing fellow bookworms.
Siam Rare Books and Collectibles
Chatuchak’s booky trove specialises in Thai and South-East Asian ephemera, including rare books, maps, trade cards, postcards, posters, paintings, stamps, and other fascinating flotsam. Checking out the Facebook page for current highlights.
Kinokuniya (Paragon)
The briefest stroll around Kinokuniya is enough to stir the loins of the most latent bibliophiles. This is Thailand’s largest international bookshop, stashing a wide range of titles in English, Chinese and Thai (plus a sharp edit of other languages), and global magazines. You’ll find us in the corner drooling over a pile of door-stopper art bibles.
River Books
A small but perfectly formed nook tucked alongside semi-private regal residence Chakrabongse House, this is the physical shop-window of River Books publisher Narisa Chakrabongse. Pop in for an iced coffee and leisurely browse of the collection, which spotlights Thai history, royalty and culture. Verdant Chakrabongse is also hosting an exhibition on the history of Thai printing and the closing night dinner of the Literary Festival.
Dasa Books Cafe
What it lacks in decor this biblio-pile more than makes up for in practicality. Situated in the expat enclave of Sukhumvit, Bangkok’s self-proclaimed ‘best second-hand bookshop’ has been around for aeons, and continues to attract local bookworms with its stash of fiction and non-fiction in several languages. Browse the downloadable database to make a wishlist before turning up.
Neilson Hays Library International Literary Festival features a bi-lingual program of talks, and screenings by local and global authors, including Pulitzer Prize-winning Adam Johnson / 16-17 Nov, see site for timings / 195 Surawong Rd / +66 2233 1731 / neilsonhayslibrary.com
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover / Level 6 / Central Embassy / 1031 Ploen Chit Rd / +66 2 160 5949 / hardcovershoponline.com
Siam Rare Books & Collectibles / Chatuchak Weekend Market / +66 94 697 0999 / 9am-5pm Sat-Sun / @Siamrarebook
Kinokuniya / 3F / Siam Paragon / 991 Rama I Rd / +662 610 9500 / 10am-10pm daily / thailand.kinokuniya.com
River Books / 396/1 Maha Rat Rd / Phra Nakhon / +66 2 222 1290 / 8.45am-5pm Mon-Fri
Dasa Book Cafe / 714/4 Sukhumvit Rd (between Sois 26-28) / 10am-8pm daily / dasabookcafe.com
Bangkok might not be famous for its book shops, but beneath the swerving BTS lines, tucked inside malls and markets are a slew one-stop literary spots. In anticipation of the first-ever Neilson Hays International Literary Festival (16-17 Nov), we take a look at Bangkok’s best book shops in which to lose yourself.
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover
This lofty, marvellous mezzanine perched atop Central Embassy is lined with books like a low-key, modern-day Bodleian or Livraria Lello. Open House shelves an impressive selection of titles with a design bent, covering photography, children's books, cookbooks, and fiction, plus rare out-of-print, collector’s and limited editions. A good spot for eyeballing fellow bookworms.
Siam Rare Books and Collectibles
Chatuchak’s booky trove specialises in Thai and South-East Asian ephemera, including rare books, maps, trade cards, postcards, posters, paintings, stamps, and other fascinating flotsam. Checking out the Facebook page for current highlights.
Kinokuniya (Paragon)
The briefest stroll around Kinokuniya is enough to stir the loins of the most latent bibliophiles. This is Thailand’s largest international bookshop, stashing a wide range of titles in English, Chinese and Thai (plus a sharp edit of other languages), and global magazines. You’ll find us in the corner drooling over a pile of door-stopper art bibles.
River Books
A small but perfectly formed nook tucked alongside semi-private regal residence Chakrabongse House, this is the physical shop-window of River Books publisher Narisa Chakrabongse. Pop in for an iced coffee and leisurely browse of the collection, which spotlights Thai history, royalty and culture. Verdant Chakrabongse is also hosting an exhibition on the history of Thai printing and the closing night dinner of the Literary Festival.
Dasa Books Cafe
What it lacks in decor this biblio-pile more than makes up for in practicality. Situated in the expat enclave of Sukhumvit, Bangkok’s self-proclaimed ‘best second-hand bookshop’ has been around for aeons, and continues to attract local bookworms with its stash of fiction and non-fiction in several languages. Browse the downloadable database to make a wishlist before turning up.
Neilson Hays Library International Literary Festival features a bi-lingual program of talks, and screenings by local and global authors, including Pulitzer Prize-winning Adam Johnson / 16-17 Nov, see site for timings / 195 Surawong Rd / +66 2233 1731 / neilsonhayslibrary.com
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover / Level 6 / Central Embassy / 1031 Ploen Chit Rd / +66 2 160 5949 / hardcovershoponline.com
Siam Rare Books & Collectibles / Chatuchak Weekend Market / +66 94 697 0999 / 9am-5pm Sat-Sun / @Siamrarebook
Kinokuniya / 3F / Siam Paragon / 991 Rama I Rd / +662 610 9500 / 10am-10pm daily / thailand.kinokuniya.com
River Books / 396/1 Maha Rat Rd / Phra Nakhon / +66 2 222 1290 / 8.45am-5pm Mon-Fri
Dasa Book Cafe / 714/4 Sukhumvit Rd (between Sois 26-28) / 10am-8pm daily / dasabookcafe.com