10 Must-Visit Bookstores in Bangkok, Thailand

Courtesy of The Reading Room
Courtesy of The Reading Room
Leslie Finlay

In 2013, Bangkok took on the title of UNESCO’s World Book Capital, awarded to cities for the presence of a vibrant literary culture accessible to widely varied demographics, interests, ages, and philosophies. The rise of independent bookstores buoyed this title, breaking the chain-store model by specialising in sourcing rare and antique books mixed in with collections of contemporary titles. These are the most distinctive shops flocked to by book lovers of all kinds.

The Book Fairies Bangkok

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While not a physical store, The Book Fairies is an international movement that gained traction in Bangkok in 2017. It’s like being a part of the world’s largest book club, with some geocaching elements thrown into the mix. Participants leave copies of books in public places for other literary lovers to discover, like BTS stations, cafes, or tucked away in parks and plazas. Once lucky readers finish their find, they pass it along through the city. Get started by checking out their Facebook page to see where the latest treasures are hidden!

This article was originally written by Wingyan Chan and has since been updated.

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