Bangkok City Library

       The Bangkok City Library is located at 39 Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, about halfway along the road, at Khok Wua intersection. Originally, the Bangkok City Library was an old building built from 1939 to 1948, before being renovated into a public library, when Bangkok was selected as the World Book Capital in 2013 by the Education and Science Organization and Culture of the United Nations (UNESCO), for which one of the important missions proposed was the establishment of the Bangkok City Library.

      The Bangkok City Library is a learning center and activity space for youth and the general public, both Thais and foreigners. As a result, there are not only bookshelves like those found in government libraries, but also space for everyone to engage in appropriate activities. Every floor has a different exhibition area. The service area is divided into four floors based on the type of use.

    1st Floor: The bottom section is for reading and magazines. The books on the first floor are primarily travel, food, and health-related. There is a clearly defined zone for the magazines, and every week, there will be a new magazine update. There is a separate reading area for the visually impaired, as well as a small video screening room with a capacity of up to 40 people. Computers are available for free internet access, but a publicized code must be requested.

    M Floor: This floor is dedicated to a space for children. The entire book zone is filled with children’s books in both Thai and foreign languages, and there is also a separate children’s activity area for parents who want their children to read quietly or have fun without disturbing others.

   2nd Floor: This floor contains books of various genres and is clearly distinct from the first floor, as it contains more books. The service area is divided into zones based on the nature of the book, such as famous books in ASEAN, books about world capitals such as Thailand, rare books, short stories, funeral books (funeral books are valuable and one-time editions), a Contemporary Books section that includes articles, essays, and picture books, and the Foreign Books section.

     3rd Floor: This area houses an exhibition about King Rama IX, as well as a zone for interesting royal writings, honor books, royal project books, royal family books, Chakri Dynasty books, and important Chakri Dynasty history books.

       Another section contains important books about Bangkok, including specially printed books from other Bangkok agencies. Aside from the book zone, there is also an “archive” room that records various events and presents them in rotating exhibitions; it is currently displaying an exhibition to commemorate the late King Rama IX.

      Those who would like to use the service only need one ID card to begin using it immediately, and it is practically free, with only a nominal fee and a book deposit charge. As for children under the age of six, they are still unable to have their own ID card, so their parents will need to bring them. Simply insert your ID card to scan at the door to gain access to the service. Foreigners must present their passports to enter the service.

Subscription Information

1. Submit a membership application at the Bangkok City Library;

2. A copy of one of the application documents:

- ID card;

- Civil servant ID card;

- Student ID card;

- A certificate from an educational institution;

- Passport. 

3. Membership Fee:

- Age not over 15 years, 5 baht per year, book deposit 20 baht/ person;

- Age over 15 years old 10 baht per year, book deposit 40 baht/ person.

Getting to the Bangkok City Library

1. Traveling by car and expressway

      The Bangkok City Library is located on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road; you can take the expressway to Yomarat Checkpoint, or take the Suriwong Expressway to get off at Uruphong Dan, and then cross the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road. The Bangkok City Library building is located at Khok Wua intersection.

2. Traveling by public transport

• The connection point for traveling by train and boat:

– MRT Asoke station connects to the Saen Saep Canal boat at Asoke Pier;

– Ratchathewi BTS station connects to the Khlong Saen Saep Canal boat at Saphan Hua Chang Pier.

• Bus

         Line 2, 9, 15, 32, 35, 42, 44, 47, 59, 60, 68, 70, 79, 82, 124, 127, 171, 183, 203

• Air-conditioned bus

         Line Por Aor.60, Por Aor.127, Por Aor.157, Por Aor.503, Por Aor.509, Por Aor.511, Por Aor.516, Por Aor.556