Neilson Hays Library image

Neilson Hays Library

Tourist attraction Library

Library founded in 1869 in a neoclassical building, with English language texts & a cafe. People often mention library, books, atmosphere, beautiful, Bangkok, building, nice, collection, reading, book,


Address

195 Surawong Road, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Website

neilsonhayslibrary.org

Contact

+66 2 233 1731

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (205 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 9:30 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: library (35) books (32) atmosphere (10) beautiful (9) Bangkok (9) building (9) nice (9) collection (8) reading (8) book (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 huang k. 1 year ago on Google
    Found it on a way back to hotel in an overcast wet day. Love this beautiful heritage library instantly at first eyes. Free entrance for community members. Charged 100 Baht per visitor. No photo inside. Lowering volume to listen raindrop fallen on the roof. Library collection categorized into new release, fiction and non-fiction, and featured 1/3 of itself for young readers. A gentle librarian introduced me to use laptop to search books as needed; however, I preferred approach shelves to discover by serendipity. The yellowish light created relax atmosphere, inviting readers sit comfortable to enjoy themself with pleasant reading ambiance.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patchanipa S. 3 years ago on Google
    It is an old Library since in 1869, 127 years old. Good ambience here. This is a good place to bring your children to practise their english skills.Particularly, listening skill . On Saturday Morning, there is foreigner reads English storytelling to let your children catch English skills. Also,there is lovely cafe shop which is a great croissant. A cafe shop and croissant service only 3 months ( Aug to Oct) in 2020. Cafe shop and croissant would like to promote croissant. The Croissants are great.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ekaterina L. 2 years ago on Google
    On Surawong Road stands the shaden Neilson Hays Library. "A grand palace on a small scale". This old English library was built in 1869 by Dr.Howard Hays as a memorial for his wife who was an active member of the Bangkok Ladies Library Association. Thirteen resourceful American and British women established it with the aim of circulating and sharing books. Designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno, the building was awarded the status of "Historic Landmark" in 2001 by the Fine Arts Department. The library offers a wide variety of contemporary fiction, non-fiction and children's books for members to borrow, while an exclusive collection of rare books is available for reading at the library. Here you can listen to author talks and concerts, enjoy stunning performances and art, celebrate festivities reflecting the multicultural community. The children's corner has Saturday Story Time to introduce children to new books.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tum J S. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful Colonial Architecture. Very well kept. I had a beautiful quiet time in the heart of Bangkok. Definitely an urban oasis. Great book selections . One of my favorite places to be in Bkk♥️
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James B. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely place which I’d frequent more often if I lived closer. Great selection of books, from fiction to nonfiction to coffee table books to children’s books. Very nicely kept, with a colonial architectural style and a garden area to sit and read outside, although you must purchase a 2500 baht yearly membership to take books out of the library. Without a membership, the suggest donation upon entry is 100 baht, but it is well worth it. I haven’t enjoyed reading anywhere else for a long time.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 zeacret 1 year ago on Google
    This is a very old exquisite architecture. Surrounding is quite good for visit. If you are into reading (English), i'm totally recommended this place. The librarian is so nice, helpful and speak English very well. Plus if you have a child, I am strongly recommended you to apply for a membership here. It's really worth the money. There will be an activity on every Saturday morning, which are stories telling and crafting (after the end of the stories). Also, this library accepts the credit card payment! Which is splendid!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 V K. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful old library in a 100-years old mansion, tremendous historical and cultural value.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Graham L. 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful building. And it is great to see the effort put into running a lending library in Bangkok. The collection of books is vast and new ones are added. There are also regular events such as classical music, book readings and of course the second hand book sales for which donations of old books are sought. Support this place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 took t. 5 years ago on Google
    A great place to relax from a long walk to the library. It's a cafe plus you can order from the main menu from the club next door.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew L. 3 years ago on Google
    Urban oasis, historical building that serves not so much as library but rather as a nice quite place for visit and relax. Has a nice cafe next to it, very reasonable price coffee and deserts.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sundaram I. 2 years ago on Google
    A real library... sanctuary in the city... (English) book lover's paradise... Also a regular photo spot for the social media savvy... Recommend becoming a member or drop by to experience and spread the joy of reading!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nat S. 5 months ago on Google
    Charming venue, well kept premises, interesting architectural heritage in the middle of the city. Laid back atmosphere. Free entry for some cultural events but membership fee for library access.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ornwara T. 3 years ago on Google
    A beautiful library with a history of its own. Though I appreciate the serenity of the place and the collection of old books on Thailand here, the entrance fee of 100 bahts for non-members is quite expensive. It's a kind of "nice to visit occasionally" place, but not somewhere I would frequent.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Terry N. 3 years ago on Google
    A place that makes you time travel to Europe. Very wide book collection, in a simple, charming, beautiful and classic European house. This weekend is holding a book sales, superb price for everyone in the family.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Thái N. 4 years ago on Google
    The library was closed as Father's day. However, there are a cozy coffeeshop named Garden where I can relax and charging my phone. I ordered an Ice Americano for 80Bath, it's quite good.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ni R. 10 months ago on Google
    Very nice beautiful library in a middle of city. So many good books for reading. I went there for the sale which I could find many gems there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 THE B. 9 months ago on Google
    Not only the building is beautiful and the library is a place to visit in Bangkok. They also have a nice coffee shop in the garden with the perfect chill atmosphere.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dirk-Jan Arts (. 10 months ago on Google
    This is an icon in Bangkok - I recommend to become a member. You can also buy a ticket for one day entry by donating to the library. There is a kids corner with many children’s books and comics.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jheel s. 5 years ago on Google
    Wonderful
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Wood S. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice library, but with odor of dust from old books
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jen Jun w. 4 years ago on Google
    Quiet and well kept! Good place to pull yourself away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ang A. 4 years ago on Google
    Car parking provided Peace and quiet If you are not a member pay 100b. for visiting
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ALLTECHS T. 4 years ago on Google
    I wish I had enough time to be here.. Like the whole day or whole week.. Great ambiance , lovely staff ... truly a library - worth visiting and if you are a book-worm, just as me, this is the place to enroll yourself in.... With Google Maps, no place is hidden today.. so though not in the mainstream of Bangkok , you can visit if you are in Silom.. Also, just walk-in to read and experience - you need not be a member usually to use their service... so tourists - go ahead for some quiet time, here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Panuwat S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) In fact, going to read books in the library needs to be a member. Who are not a member may have to pay service fees from time to time. Which actually just comes to visit the place Which has a beautiful architecture Big trees can be trimmed correctly according to the principle of tree pruning. Just this and just a friend. . During the period from 27 June to 26 July 2020, the library sold old books. Which some books are difficult to find interesting At a tangible price, there are both Thai language books and foreign books For those who love books, try to visit each other. . As for the control of the service users as according to the Anti-Spreading Policy, Covid19 finds the library with temperature checks and QR codes to check in to enter the area. (Original) จริงๆกันเข้าไปอ่านหนังสือในห้องสมุดจำเป็นจะต้องเป็นสมาชิก โดยที่ไม่ได้เป็นสมาชิกอาจจะต้องเสียค่าบริการเป็นครั้งๆไป ซึ่งจริงๆแล้วแค่เข้ามาชมสถานที่ ซึ่งมีสถาปัตย์ที่สวยงาม ต้นไม้ใหญ่ตัดแต่งได้ถูกต้องตามหลักการการตัดแต่งต้นไม้ แค่นี้ก็ฟิรนล้วครับ . ในช่วงวันที่ 27 มิถุนายนถึงวันที่ 26 กรกฎาคม 2563 นี้ ห้องสมุดได้มีการจำหน่ายหนังสือเก่า ซึ่งบางเล่มก็เป็นหนังสือที่น่าสนใจได้ยาก ในราคาที่จับต้องได้มีทั้งหนังสือภาษาไทยและหนังสือต่างประเทศ สำหรับผู้ที่รักหนังสือก็ลองเข้ามาเยี่ยมชมกันได้ . ในส่วนของการควบคุมผู้ที่เข้ามาใช้บริการตามนโยบายป้องกันการแพร่กระจายโควิด 19 หาห้องสมุดมีการตรวจวัดอุณหภูมิและเสแกนคิวอาร์โค้ดเพื่อเช็คอินกรณีเข้ามาในพื้นที่
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 siam m. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A classical library built about 100 years ago. In addition to its elegant appearance, when you enter the building with a quiet and calm atmosphere, you may forget that you are in Bangkok for a moment. It's an oasis in the city. It is also the library where the Thai short film "THE LIBRARY ห้อง สมุดแห่ง รัก" (2013) was filmed. (Original) 今から約100年前に建てられたクラシカルな図書館。瀟洒な外観もさることながら、静謐で落ち着いた雰囲気の館内に入ると、バンコクにいることを一瞬忘れてしまいそうなくらいです。まさに都会のオアシス。 タイの短編映画「THE LIBRARY ห้องสมุดแห่งรัก」(2013年)が撮影された図書館でもあります。
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shafa A. 3 years ago on Google
    Book sale was awesome! Really cheap, many choices and staff were super friendly :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Humanizer 3 years ago on Google
    Very friendly and well educated and prepared stuff working here. Tha buikidng and the garden is clean and amazing little green oasis in the city. I was also lucky, because they have a sale on old books and just wanted to pick 1... But found 10 😅
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neda A. 2 years ago on Google
    Love the place. Very nice atmosphere

  • 5/5 hey.junebug 4 months ago on Google
    Very unique library in Bangkok, Thailand. Good to visit and find some good books to read. Nice environment.

  • 4/5 Ittipat P. 2 years ago on Google
    The olderst English-language library in Thailand dates back to 1922, and today remains the city's noblest place for a read - with the added benefit for air-con.

  • 1/5 greengreen 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I took my child, but the admission fee is 100 baht, so I asked if I could decide what the children's space looks like inside. (Original) 아이를 데리고 갔는데 입장료가 100밧이라해서 안에 아이들 공간 어떻데 생겼는지 한번 보고 결정해도 되냐고 하니 안된다고???

  • 4/5 lucky f. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful building (Original) อาคารสวยงาม สงบ

  • 5/5 เดชาวัจน์ �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Renovated old building There is a classic, beautiful, shady atmosphere, quiet in the heart of the city. (Original) อาคารเก่าบูรณะใหม่ มีความคลาสสิค สวยงาม บรรยากาศร่มรื่นเงียบสงบใจกลางเมือง

  • 1/5 พิมพิกา �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Don't like the staff here Very bad service, if there is no service mind, then you should not stand at the counter. Want to do the members, so will ask to go to see the place inside first But rejected with a fluttering face Said it was bothering other members. Oh, what were the others in there talking loudly to each other? (Original) ไม่ชอบพนักงานที่นี่ บริการแย่มากๆ ถ้าไม่มี service mind ก็ไม่ควรมายืนเค้าเตอร์ ต้องการทำเมมเบอร์เลยจะขอเข้าไปดูสถานที่ด้านในก่อน แต่ถูกปฏิเสธหน้าเหวี่ยงๆ บอกว่าเป็นการรบกวนเมมเบอคนอื่นๆ แหม คนอื่นในนั้นคุยกันเสียงดังอย่างกับอะไร

  • 5/5 Pete S. 3 years ago on Google
    What a find! As an expat family, I don't want to own books, and the selection here is enough to fill a constant rotation of books in our household. The childrens books section is alone worth the membership - we have new books every other week. Its also a nice place to escape a rather noisy part of town.

  • 5/5 Nicholas C. 1 year ago on Google
    And superb oasis of calm in the center of Bangkok. An excellent restoration of the building infrastructure and detail which is a credit to Siamese architectural skills. Add to that friendly staff and you have one of the great places of the city. Unfortunately the leasing out the Cafe was a mistake. The coffee is below par and the pastries are untouchable. But the library is about ideas, and it is filled to the brim. Go there!

  • 5/5 Ashok V. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful library...with that old books and polished wood feel and smell

  • 5/5 Sunpang P. 7 years ago on Google
    Quite a good collection of old English literatures about this SEA region. Also some of modern books. Lovely, cozy, old British atmosphere here.

  • 3/5 Ratchapas A. 3 years ago on Google
    Located on Surawong road. Next to AIA building.

  • 5/5 Izhar 1 year ago on Google
    The library is small but packed with books. Has very limited seating, and really appreciate the hallowed quiet atmosphere, which is a great refuge from the noisy shopping streets of the area. You may still hear traffic inside, but the place let's you zone out with books very quickly.

  • 3/5 Jo Z. 3 years ago on Google
    I went here, unfortunately the ceiling fans are too noisy. I can't concentrate reading but others don't seem to mind. It's a nice place though.

  • 5/5 Robin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Always go to the annual book sale.

  • 5/5 MU O. 3 years ago on Google
    Good place for Book Lovers

  • 5/5 Titiphon V. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) surreal hidden place (Original) suriwong hidden place

  • 5/5 Mrinal D. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice collection, friendly staff and cosy coffee shop

  • 4/5 Mana K. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) In addition to the library. There is also a restaurant. The restaurant is run by the British Association of Food, which serves European, Asian and Thai dishes. (Original) นอกจากส่วนของห้องสมุดแล้ว ที่นี่ยังมีร้านอาหารอีกด้วย ร้านนี้ดำเนินงานโดยสมาคมอังกฤษอาหารที่เสิร์ฟมีทั้งอาหารยุโรป อาหารเอเชีย และอาหารไทย

  • 5/5 Kevin �. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) My favorite library. Have a history, charm (Original) 我最喜歡的圖書館。有歷史、韻味

  • 2/5 jenny k. 3 years ago on Google
    The library charge 100b per person

  • 5/5 Jane K. 5 years ago on Google
    Cosy and relaxing atmosphere of both the library and the cafe. The collection here comprises of rare and interesting books where they don’t usually available in a general bookstore. A non-member entrance is THB 100 on donation to the library.

  • 5/5 Nitcharee P. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Quiet, suitable for reading. The atmosphere is pretty. (Original) เงียบ สงบ เหมาะกับการอ่านหนังสือมากค่ะ บรรยากาศโดยรวมก็สวย

  • 5/5 Yujia 5 years ago on Google
    Lovely place

  • 5/5 Kiattichai U. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place

  • 5/5 david p. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Old buildings, the design of the eyes (Original) ตึกเก่าฝีมือการออกแบบของตามาญโญ่

  • 5/5 G S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to relax and be

  • 4/5 Sanchai K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful, quiet (Original) สวยเงียบสงบ

  • 5/5 Tamara J. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful and peaceful. A book lover's refuge.

  • 4/5 S M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) During this period, the library Books are on sale at a discount of 20-200 baht. The entrance fee is 100 baht. (Original) ช่วงนี้หอสมุดเฮ มีขายหนังสือลดราคาตั้งแต่ 20-200 บาท ค่าเข้าหอสมุด 100 บาท (ไม่ได้เข้า รู้สึกแพงไป)


Call +66 2 233 1731 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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