Neilson Hays Library: A Bookworm’s Dream in Bangrak, Bangkok
A quiet fixture on the tree-lined Surawong Road in Bangrak, you’ll find one of the city’s most intriguing architectural treasures… not to mention its largest English-language book collection, with over 20,000 titles in its collection.
I’m talking, of course, about the Neilson Hays Library — a hidden gem in Bangkok that somehow evaded my radar for nearly a year (and many of my friends, who have lived here much longer than I have, had never heard of it either!).
In fact, I might never have known it existed at all if a friend hadn’t invited me to a concert there (which I didn’t end up attending, actually). But just hearing about the venue piqued my curiosity enough to visit on a quiet, non-event day.
So on a quiet Sunday morning, less than 30 minutes later after wandering through its doors, eyes pouring over its seemingly endless teak cabinet-style shelves, opening and browsing through the books, I ended up signing up for an annual membership on the spot.
If you’re curious about seeing this Bangkok hidden gem, here’s a brief guide to visiting Neilson Hays Library, and how to visit either as a day guest or becoming a member.
Please note that the library has a strict no photography policy. I’ve included photos of the exterior and courtyard area only, out or respect for their policy and wishes. You’ll simply have to see the beauty of the interior for yourself (or sneak a peek on Google Maps, where others have uploaded photos)!
A Brief History of Neilson Hays Library
Neilson Hays is more than a library: it’s also a breathing piece of Bangkok’s history, a true trailblazer in so many regards. It’s actually believed to the be the oldest nonprofit organization in Thailand, with roots starting in 1869 when 13 British and American women formed the Bangkok Ladies’ Library Association (incidentally, making it the first women-led library in Southeast Asia!).
It had a brief period of being more of an informal lending library, with books being passed around from home to home, but by 1914 they started looking for a permanent home for the ever-growing collection. The beautiful Neoclassical library was completed in 1922 by the Italian architect Mario Tamagno, who had already started to make a bit of a name for himself in Bangkok, designing the Hua Lamphong Railway and Phya Thai Palace, amongst other landmarks.
After nearly a century, the library found itself in desperate need of repairs in 2016, and a two-year effort was undergone in order to bring it back to its prior splendor. The restoration work was so successful that it earned the library the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2022.
Location & Hours
- Address: 195 Surawong Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, closed Mondays
- Admission: 100 baht for a day entry pass (free for members)
Note: The Neilson Hays Library Garden Café is right next door and offers breakfast and lunch as well as drinks Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Membership Costs & Benefits
If you live in Bangkok and end up finding yourself as charmed by Neilson Hays as I did, you might want to consider becoming a member. Not only do you get a lot of great benefits, you also are supporting a pillar of Bangkok’s history.
As of June 2025, here are the annual membership costs:
- Individual: THB 2,500
- Senior (65+)/Child (under 12): THB 1,850
- Family: THB 3,500
All memberships require a THB 500 book deposit, which is refundable when you end your membership. Just make sure to claim it within two years, or it will be considered a donation to the library.
As a member, you can enjoy the following perks:
- Free admission (normally THB 100 for a day pass)
- Full access to the library’s 20,000+ English-language book collection
- Individual: borrow up to 10 books
- Family: borrow up to 15 books
- 15% off tickets to concerts and cultural events hosted at the library
- 10% discount at the in-house café
It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to enjoy a quieter, more literary side of Bangkok and have access to a great selection of English-language books, ranging from fiction to non-fiction to children’s books.
