Neilson Hays Library
Neilson Hays Library
4
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Also of architectural interest, has art gallery and cafe and lots of events happening throughout the year.
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Silom
Despite the lack of any major tourist attractions, this lively neighborhood is a favorite of many. Whether it's the (somewhat naughty) nightlife of Soi Patpong, the various handicraft night markets or the plethora of dining options that tickle your fancy, a night out in Silom is a must on every itinerary. It's worth a stop during daytime, too: join office workers on a quest to tasty street food during lunch and shop at Silom Complex for a great mix of Thai and international stores. After a day of strolling around the congested sidewalks, a visit to Silom's Lumphini Park, Bangkok's answer to NYC's Central Park, is a welcome change of scenery.
How to get there
- Chong Nonsi • 10 min walk
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4.0
34 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
13
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Dick Z
Bangkok, Thailand3,826 contributions
Sept 2020
If you are in the Silom area this is certainly a place you should pop into. The building, almost 100 years old, is in itself interesting. But it is also a normally functioning library. The coffee shop in the courtyard has good coffee and croissants. Since this is an enterprise fully run by volunteers and relying on donations it is something worthy of our support.
The collection consists of books in English on a wide variety of topics. They also accept donations of book collections in other languages, which are then sold at regular intervals or otherwise distributed. Some times there are concerts in the auditorium.
The collection consists of books in English on a wide variety of topics. They also accept donations of book collections in other languages, which are then sold at regular intervals or otherwise distributed. Some times there are concerts in the auditorium.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark Benjamin L
Dubai, United Arab Emirates526 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We went for lunch to the British Club then visited this lovely library to shop at their annual book sale . This library is a real gem , a perfect place to relax and take some restful time to sit and read . It has a good selection of books and membership is well worthwhile for anyone living in Bangkok for any length of time . On the day we visited it was bustling with nice people who were there to pick up bargains at the book sale - but at most other times it is very peaceful and a splendid place to have a quiet read or to research a subject .
Written 31 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie Z
Bangkok, Thailand139 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
The Neilson Hays Library is an English language library in Bangkok Thailand. The architecture is lovely old colonial style on the inside and out. They have a good selection of modern books as well as classics plus regular events such as concerts, art exhibitions, lectures and second hand book sales that are open to the public as well as members. Membership levels allowing varying numbers of books to be checked out. Lovely children's corner with storytelling and craft activities for the little ones on Saturday mornings. There is also a cafe on the premises. They are primarily staffed by volunteers so please give them your time as well as your patronage if you can! Note: you can enter for free but you must become a member to take out books. The closest BTS stop is Chong Nonsri and it is walkable, but not if you have small children.
Written 21 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bea T
Melbourne, Australia161 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
The building is worth visiting even if you don't want to join the library to borrow books. It was built in 1921 to honour the memory of Jennie Neilson Hays, and was declared a historic monument in 1986. High ceilings, a gorgeous rotunda, polished wood floors, wooden book cases - no wonder the space is rented for functions! Each month a different artist is featured in the rotunda and/or the Garden Gallery. A coffee shop/restaurant provides good coffee and snacks, and a small exhibition is organized in that space. Children's activities and special events are organized each week. Two enormous book sales are held annually (May and November). Lovely place, 20,000 books to choose from and a quiet haven from busy Bangkok.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pannika N
Thailand53 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Not far from the metro. It takes about ten minutes. Library parking You can pay for library maintenance if you want to spend a long time. There are plenty of places to take photos, parking, clean bathrooms, good service, and helpful staff.
Written 13 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mizlgw
Manchester, NH296 contributions
Jul 2016
I'm a librarian, so walking into a library is a given. I loved the architecture and thumbing through the card catalogues. However, we felt eyes on us as we moved through the rooms. I guess not too many foreigners visit?
Written 29 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,018 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
This is the oldest English language library in Thailand and dates back to 1922. It has a good selection of childrens books and a decent range of books on Thailand and South-East Asia. Housed in a Colonial building with gorgeous architecture, the library is a picture of elegance. Spend a few hours here with a good book or relax in the Garden Gallery Cafe.
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vichar N
Thailand1 contribution
Jul 2013 • Friends
The sweetness of doing nothing. With the main library being closed and Bangkok being half deserted. I had a privilege of spending a day with my best friend the Garden Cafe of Neilson Hayes Library.
Just to walk around the garden and to look at the building is just wonderful. In a city like Bangkok, silence is very much appreciated and Neilson Hayes have given me plenty today.
Just to walk around the garden and to look at the building is just wonderful. In a city like Bangkok, silence is very much appreciated and Neilson Hayes have given me plenty today.
Written 22 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jelly an
England, UK6 contributions
Aug 2019
A must when in Bangkok. It was a little hard to find at first but we always take a taxi and we asked to be dropped off on Silom Soi 20 or in front of Wat Kaek and it could not be easier. From there it is a couple of minutes walk to the library on Surawong where we could borrow books and if given the time spend either the whole morning or the afternoon. Excellent selection of books for children. Having the cafe next door is helpful when the child is starving then we go back in afterwards. A few children are noisy when they walk in or leave books out of the shelves so, we go during the week to have the place to us and the quiet visitors.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamallmighty
Thonburi208 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
The Library is closed due to urgent Restoration and a Mini-Library is open in the former Café on Tuesdays to Sundays at 09:30 to 5 pm !
A mid-day Lunch is available from the adjacent British Club menu !!!
A mid-day Lunch is available from the adjacent British Club menu !!!
Written 24 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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