How can we not mention this monumental landmark of Bangkok’s art scene? Across its ten floors, this massive art center in Pathumwan invites you to spend hours enjoying and exploring every aspect of art and culture: from the library on Floor L; to art stores, cafés, an auditorium, and studios on Floors 1-6; and finally, art exhibitions on Floors 7-9.

Spanning two floors of the Bank of Thailand Learning Center, this modern, riverside library houses a collection of over 30,000 books, mostly about economics, finance, accounting, and law. The library’s design seamlessly blends modern elements with traditional touches (such as a former high-security vault that now stores treasured tomes), creating a space that feels both contemporary and timeless. The entire library, bathed in sunlight, invites visitors to settle in and explore its vast collection while enjoying views of the Chao Phraya.

Entry is free.

Why read or work from home when you could do these at this stunning heritage building? Bangkok City Library is more than just a library; it’s a crossroad where history, culture, and knowledge converge. Located on Ratchadamnoen Road, one of Old Town’s most important avenues, it’s a space where visitors can seek out a wide variety of books, from popular fiction to volumes about the Thai royal family to English-language titles, and peruse them among gorgeous art deco-inspired interiors.

Entry is free (foreigners need to show their passport), and annual membership go from B10 to B300.

Established in 1905, one of Asia’s oldest national libraries is not just a place steeped in history; it’s a space where millions of books, documents, archives, and multi-media resources mingle, offering visitors an unparalleled dive into the wealth of Thai heritage. From rare manuscripts to hard-to-find books to more recent title and magazines, every nook and cranny of the National Library beckons you to explore.

Entry is free.

A pretty public library within Lumpini Park, this structure is a thriving learning hub that combines the pleasures of reading with the peaceful enjoyment of nature. Despite its small size, Bangkok Public Library holds more than 40,000 books and educational materials, a large majority in Thai. A smaller children’s library has been set up adjacent to the main building (just look for a squat rectangular structure that looks like a Yayoi Kusama creation.)

Entry is free.

This beloved library saw its beginnings in1869 before being officially established on its present site in 1921. With soaring arched ceilings, chandeliers in some rooms and lots of comfortable seating, this beautiful neoclassical space is an elegant home to about 20,000 titles, mostly in English, spanning everything from contemporary fiction to Asian lit to children’s comics. Apart from offering a delightful haven for literary nerds, Neilson Hays is also a gathering point for the local community—there is always something exciting happening within its walls, such as author talks, educational workshops, and even mini-concerts and art exhibitions. Watch out for their bi-annual book sales.

Entry is priced at B100/day, and annual membership costs B2,500 per adult and B3,500 per family.

Grab a guest pass and head to Thammasat University’s main library, the place to be if you need to do some research on Thai political history or are hunting down a quiet place to read. The multi-level subterranean library has an impressive catalog o books, study desks, and open spaces. It’s also one of the very few (if only) libraries in Bangkok that allows you to bring in food, but under one condition: nothing that will stink up the place.

Entry is priced at B20 (free for Thammasat alumni) and annual membership costs B500 per adult.

Set within the stately Grand Postal Building on Charoenkrung, this massive, five-story learning center is where Bangkok’s creative agents and digital nomads come to either find inspiration or lose themselves in over 18,000 resources on art and design from all over the world. If you’re not here to get engrossed in the pages of a glossy coffee table book, then you can marvel at the tactile display of locally produced textiles, building elements, and design components at the Material and Design Innovation Center. Or just come for the exhibitions, usually colorful, eye-catching, and social media-worthy.

Entry is priced at B100 per day, and annual membership costs B1,200 per adult and B600 per student.

A combined library and activity center, this “living space” has been extremely successful in offering Bangkok residents, especially students and children, a proper space to access productivity and learning through stories and creativity. The massive 3,700-square-meter library holds more than 100,000 physical titles in both Thai and English, as well as a large e-library where you can borrow books and other types of content. Family- and kid-friendly, there are dedicated rooms and flexible spaces where you and your kid can immerse in a seemingly endless sea of stories.

Entry is priced at B20 per day, and annual membership costs B200 per adult and B100 per child, student under 25 years old, or senior citizen.

Beyond its stylish vibe, this library will captivate you if you have a passion for art and culture. Named in honor of William Warren, a former university lecturer and author of The Unsolved Mystery about the life and disappearance of textile entrepreneur Jim Thompson, this library houses a small but impressive collection of books and materials on architecture, textiles, home decoration, crafts, and on Thompson himself. It’s located a stone’s throw from the Jim Thompson House Museum, and can be an ideal stop if you want to learn more about the silk magnate and his interests when he lived.

Entry is free and annual membership costs B1,500 per person.