The Neilson Hays Library—About Us

Hours of Operation

The Library is open six days a week.

Library Events & Programs

See our Library Events and Children's Programs page for the latest happenings.

Map & Directions

We are located on Surawong Road right next door to the British Club. The Library is a 15- to 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the BTS Skytrain station at Chong Nonsi or Surasak. A taxi ride from the BTS or MRT on Silom (BTS Sala Daeng/MRT Silom) costs about ฿40.

Library History

The Neilson Hays Library was founded in 1869 by the Ladies' Bazaar Association, which formed the Bangkok Ladies' Library Association to serve the reading needs of the large English-speaking community in Bangkok. The building and property now occupied by the Library were part of an endowment received from Dr. Hayward Hays in 1922 in memory of his wife Jennie Neilson Hays who had served on the committee of the Library for at least 25 years. It is the oldest non-profit association in the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Café

Need a break? Check out the menu at our café run by The Roadhouse. You'll find something to entice you from espresso to wine to dessert, a light snack, or a meal.

Building Rental

The Library building or garden compound can be rented on a half-day or full-day basis. Previous customers have rented the space to hold workshops and host small school groups as well as to shoot commercials and films. Have a special event in mind? The buildings are available to both groups and individuals. Contact us for pricing.

Use Amazon & Help the Library

If you use Amazon and would like another way to support the Library, you can help us simply by accessing Amazon directly from the Neilson Hays Library web site.

Here is how this works: Based on the number of orders placed with Amazon.com through the Library web site, Neilson Hays will receive a discount on books orders for the Library collection. This will help reduce the cost of the books and allow us to buy more titles. As a non-profit association any cost savings is of great benefit to the Library and its members.

So remember! If you want to buy a book from Amazon.com use the button below. Your support is greatly appreciated!