Gplace > Thailand > Bangkok > Phra Nakhon > Bangkok Metropolitan Library

“A cultural and educational hub providing a wide range of books and learning activities for youth and families.”

The Bangkok Metropolitan Library is situated on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road at the intersection known as Si Yaek Khok Wua. It serves as a vibrant learning space and activity center for both Thai youth and international visitors. The library houses a diverse collection of books arranged across four floors according to usage and user groups:

1st Floor: Features rotating exhibitions covering arts, culture, traditions, history, and society. It also includes a magazine and newspaper archive, an information service for library users and tourists, a screening room, and a resource center for the visually impaired, including audio books, Braille books, and various multimedia materials.
Mezzanine (M) Floor: Dedicated to children’s literature and youth literature, offering a wide selection and hosting family learning activities.
3rd Floor: Houses a wealth of knowledge and projects related to King Rama IX’s royal initiatives. It also serves as the Bangkok Metropolitan Archives, collecting documents, publications, and audiovisual materials related to various aspects of Bangkok such as history, architecture, economy, politics, urban planning, demographics, religion, and more. Special publications produced by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agencies are also available here.

Historical Background:
The library’s establishment followed Bangkok’s designation as UNESCO’s World Book Capital in 2013, marking it as one of nine key missions of the city’s reading promotion plan. The Bangkok Metropolitan Library aims to be a “City of Learning,” providing a modern, comprehensive learning environment to foster sustainable reading culture and knowledge acquisition.

The library occupies a three-story reinforced concrete building leased from the Crown Property Bureau, located at Si Yaek Khok Wua. This building is part of a row of 15 structures along Ratchadamnoen Road, originally developed under King Rama V’s reign and later expanded through the reigns of Kings Rama VIII and IX. The architecture reflects Neo-Plastic influences with distinctive features such as slender awnings, decorative plaster moldings, and horizontal grilles, blending Western and Thai artistic styles to preserve its historical charm.

Purpose:
Located on a cultural avenue that reflects the nation’s identity, the Bangkok Metropolitan Library acts as a bridge connecting the past to the present. It is intended to benefit society by nurturing a love for reading among the public and appreciating Thai cultural heritage.

How to Get There

BTS Skytrain: Get off at National Stadium Station, then take a taxi or walk about 10 minutes
Bus: Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 15, 47 pass nearby
Taxi: Request “Bangkok Metropolitan Library” or “Ratchadamnoen Klang Road”
Walking: From nearby landmarks such as Sanam Luang or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha