Neilson Hays Library

founded 1869

Background
The Neilson Hays Library is a privately funded English- language library in Bangkok, Thailand. It occupies a historic building on Surawong Road in Bangkok’s Bang Rak District. The library traces its origins to the Bangkok Ladies' Library Association, which was established in 1869, but did not have a permanent location until the current building was commissioned in 1921 by resident American doctor T. Heyward Hays in memory of his late wife, Jennie Neilson Hays, who had been an active member of the library board.

Our Building
Designed in neoclassical style by Italian architects Mario Tamagno and Giovanni Ferrero the building, completed in 1922, features a symmetrical plan, with a domed rotunda originally serving as the entrance hall (now a gallery), and an H-shaped reading room. The building received the ASA Architectural Conservation Award in 1982, and was registered as an ancient monument in 2001. It underwent major restoration work from 2016 to 2018 for which it was awarded the UNESCO Award Distinction at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2022.

Collection
Housing 20,000 books the Neilson Hays Library has one of the largest collections of English language titles in Bangkok. Offering a wide variety of contemporary fiction and non-fiction with fresh books arriving every month. We have a range of specialist books on South East Asia many of which are rare or out of print. We also stock an array of English language magazines and newspapers.

Contact information
Address: 195 Thanon Surawong, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand

Telephone: +66 2233 1731

Email: info@neilsonhayslibrary.org

Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9:30am - 5pm (closed Monday)

Membership details: Individual = THB 2,500; Senior (Over 65)/Child (under 12 with ID) = THB 1,850 Family = THB 3,500

Access: Non members are invited to donate Baht 100/ £2.30 to use the library for the day.

Activities:

Biannual book sale

Saturday story time for children with activities

Regular classical music concerts

Monthly book group

We have a cafe situated in the courtyard in front of the library

Website
https://neilsonhayslibrary.org/

Status