Racing tuk-tuks, sizzling Pad Thai, and the silent grace of distant temples; Bangkok is a book of its own. But the stories don’t end here; you’ll find even more adventures in this list of bookstores.
Dasa Book Cafe
Wedged between Soi 26 and Soi 28 on the chaotic Sukhumvit Road, Dasa Book Cafe is a secondhand bookstore that has amassed a collection of over 18,000 books. With a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, English-speaking visitors are well looked after here, as are French and German speakers.
The three-storey shop has an authentic allure to it, steering clear of ultra-modern furnishings in favor of homely aesthetics with wooden features, soft lighting, and gentle background music. Teas and coffees are also available, and the staff have a huge display of foreign currency above the menu, so don’t hesitate to give them some of your spare change from home.
Address: 714/4 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 8PM
Kinokuniya at CentralwOrld
CentralwOrld on Ratchadamri Road has its very own branch of the Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya. If you’re on the hunt for an international edition while in the Thai capital, chances are they’ll have it here, as they stock nearly everything, from manga to classic literature. It’s also a hub for stationery, in case you need to pick up a few extra bits for your stash.
Those who aren’t fans of big bookstores might want to sit this one out. Kinokuniya is huge, but they’ve kept things well organized, with each section clearly labeled, from a dedicated Thai corner to the staff’s favorite picks.
Address: ห้างสรรพสินค้าเซ็นทรัลเวิล์ด ชั้น 6 เลขที่ 4/1-4/2,4/4 ห้องเลขที่ B633, B633T Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
HARDCOVER: The Art Book Shop at Open House Central Embassy
Head to the sixth floor of Central Embassy to discover HARDCOVER: The Art Book Shop. You might assume from the name that most of the literature here is art-focused, but a well-rounded range of other topics, like photography and Thai culture, is up for grabs.
You’ll be blown away by the creativity of the interior design, the way the double-height shelving complements the glass mezzanine is fabulous, and finer details like the leaf-printed ceiling make it a visual delight.
Address: 1030 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
A BOOK with NO NAME
As independent as they come, A BOOK with NO NAME is where readers go to hide from Bangkok’s relentless city rush. Compact and dressed in dark green palettes, dominant white tones, and splashes of flora, there’s no better place to hang out and sip some tasty Thai tea with a good cover.
The inventory, mostly Thai-language books with the occasional English title, covering topics like politics and social issues, is guarded by the resident cats and dogs. Plan your visit wisely, as they sometimes host workshops on select weekends.
Address: 721, 723 Samsen 17 Alley, Thanon Nakhon Chai Si, Dusit District, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Friday: 12PM – 7PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 12PM – 10:30PM
Passport Bookshop
On Soi Samran Rat, just down the street from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration City Hall, Passport Bookshop is a charming independent store run by a lovely couple who’ve established their collection to reflect their personal tastes. As you sip a coffee and nibble on a scone, browse through the Thai and English selection, loaded with philosophy, travel, and non-fiction titles.
Due to the shop’s small size, it’s best to arrive early if you’re looking for something specific, as the tight floor plan can make browsing a bit tricky.
Address: 28 Soi Samran Rat, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: Closed
– Thursday to Saturday: 11:30AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 12:30PM – 7PM
Asia Books CentralwOrld Floor
Another bookish gem inside CentralwOrld is Asia Books. Located on the sixth floor of the mall along Ratchadamri Road, it boasts a varied range of English-language titles, especially those focused on Thailand. There are also plenty of toys, board games, and trading cards for sale in case you need to pick up some bits for your little ones.
Be sure to have a good look around while you’re there, as past customers have praised this branch for their favorable discounts on select covers.
Address: 204-205, อาคารเซ็นทรัลเวิลด์พลาซ่า ชั้น6, Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 9PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 10AM – 9:30PM
Books & Belongings
Next, we’re going to have a look at one of Bangkok’s more specialized stores, Books & Belongings, which lies in the Bang Chak District. Each of their covers has been deliberately chosen to highlight exceptional work by talented writers, with revered names like James Joyce and Stéphane Mallarmé regularly featured.
Many of the texts here, both in Thai and English, rarely appear in your typical shops, but that’s the beauty of shopping at Books & Belongings. One of the standout details is their shelving design: instead of traditional bookcases, they use standalone wooden walls with carved-out dips that act as minimalist shelves, giving each title equal visibility.
Address: 502 Soi Sukhumvit 95, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10260, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
World at the Corner
An old house, transformed into a bookstore for adventurers, World at the Corner is a place where readers can travel to all corners of the planet through its chosen publications, right here in Bangkok. Ran by two photographers, visitors who swing by World at the Corner will be treated to a lineup of reads, where the sections are broken up into continents.
The space feels clean and cozy, with walls in calming shades of blue and green that blend perfectly with the rustic, wooden house aesthetic.
Address: 1 Mahannop 1 Alley, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: Closed
– Friday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Balzac
A short stroll from the French Embassy in Bangkok, Balzac was set up by a Swiss family to serve as a welcoming space for the French-speaking community in the city. As you might have already guessed, the written works here are mainly in French, ranging from fiction to non-fiction, with a handful of English titles available for the Anglophones.
Balzac transports you to: the seating is arranged in classic French fashion, and the menu with yummy delights such as buttery croissants and rich espresso adds a touch of indulgence that ties everything together.
Address: 43, 357 Charoen Krung Rd. Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday: 2PM – 6:30PM
– Wednesday to Sunday: 10AM – 6:30PM
Kinokuniya Siam Paragon
Kinokuniya has another branch on the third floor of the popular Siam Paragon Mall. Spacious and well-organized, the store has books in multiple languages, including English and Thai, with everything neatly divided into categories, making browsing a breeze whether you’re after an artsy Renaissance read or a classic from the Harry Potter series.
The atmosphere is calm and inviting as you wander through the beautifully furnished space, and there’s even an on-site café serving up delicious specialty coffee.
Address: 3rd Floor, Siam Paragon Mall, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Paengrum’s Books & Cafe
You can’t beat a good old vintage book café, and Paengrum’s delivers it superbly. Refined dark brown cases frame what looks like a typical Thai restaurant from the outside. However, inside hides an eclectic mix of titles, from fish encyclopedias and Thai novel translations to quirky souvenirs like old postcards.
In addition to books and handmade crafts, Paengrum’s is known for its delicious traditional Thai breakfast, delivered by the incredibly friendly owner.
Address: 96, 6 Chakkraphatdi Phong Rd, Wat Sommanat, ป้อมปราบ Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 9AM – 6:30PM
B2S Think Space – Central Chidlom
If you get dizzy easily, the B2S Think Space in Central Chidlom might just send you into overdrive with its head spinning setup where books arch overhead, creating something close to an optical illusion.
Part bookstore, part co-working space, and event hub, the place has an innovative energy focused on collaboration. The catalog includes books from Thailand and beyond, along with stationery, creative supplies, and even costumes.
Address: Central Department Store, 1027 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Rimkhobfa Bookstore
Come and learn more about Thailand at Rimkhobfa Bookstore, a space devoted to educating the wider public about the Land of Smiles through the written word. They sell books on a range of subjects like history, culture, and geography related to the country.
Not too far from the Sirindhorn MRT stop, the shop has a contemporary vibe and spans two floors, with a coffee shop on the ground level. While most of the content focuses on Thailand, they do stock some English-language editions as well.
Address: 121 Charan Sanitwong Frontage Rd, Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 6PM
B2S Think Space Eastville
Tastefully styled and stocked with an array of titles, including a solid selection of manga, B2S Think Space delivers once again with its location out in Eastville. In true B2S fashion, they’ve gone ultra trendy, with swirling, brightly lit wooden bookcases that rise to varying heights, leading toward the second floor.
Beyond books, visitors can take advantage of several facilities, including workstations with power outlets, a coffee shop, and dedicated reading zones.
Address: 2/5 On La-iat Alley, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230, Thailand
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10:30AM – 10PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Vacilando Bookshop
A popular stop for art lovers, Vacilando Bookshop is tucked away on the second floor of a cafe on Chakkraphatdi Phong Road. Inside, you’ll find an impressive number of art and photography books to spark your creativity. They also regularly host public workshops where design enthusiasts can connect and create.
With its exposed textures and timeworn details, Vacilando Bookshop radiates a raw, innovative energy; the weathered walls and shed-like ceiling only add to its character.
Address: 96/2 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Wat Sommanat, Pom Prap, Bangkok 10100
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: Closed
– Friday: 12:30PM – 5PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 12:30 – 6PM
