Neilson Hays Library

About Neilson Hays Library

Neilson Hays Library is a private English-language library at 195 Surawong Road in Bang Rak, a short walk from BTS Chong Nonsi. The building opened in 1922 as a memorial to Jennie Neilson Hays and was designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno in a neoclassical style, with a domed rotunda and an H-shaped reading room. Inside you find arched ceilings, chandeliers and plenty of comfortable seating.

The library holds around 20,000 mostly English titles, from new fiction and Asian literature to children's books. The old rotunda entrance is now a gallery for rotating art shows, and there is a garden cafe serving Western and Thai food. It also runs author talks, workshops, small concerts and twice-yearly book sales. Sources give different entry terms, from free with a suggested donation to about 100 baht a day.

It is a quiet, good-looking place for a slow date: browse the shelves together, see what is on in the rotunda, then sit in the garden cafe. Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon when it is calm. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 to 17:00, and closed on Mondays.

Why it works for a date

• Beautiful 1922 domed neoclassical building
• Peaceful, quiet place to read
• Strong children's and Southeast Asia collections
• Cafe and gallery on site

Good to be aware of

• Closed on Mondays
• Entry and membership rules vary by source, so check before going
• Small, so it takes an hour or two rather than a full day

Don't miss

The domed neoclassical buildingThe symmetrical Italian-designed building with its dome is a registered ancient monument and was restored between 2016 and 2018. Walk around the outside and the reading rooms to see the arches and details.