18 best record stores in Bangkok

What is it? Nong Taprachan sits along the Chao Phraya like a stubborn romantic who never left the 90s. A record shop, yes, but also a quiet guardian of Thai music’s past and present. 

Why we love it: The shop runs on a kind of old-school generosity. Ask for a long-lost pressing or a discontinued CD player and no one points you towards a search bar. They ring around, text collectors, follow parcels across borders on your behalf. There’s live music too, with a single uncompromising rule: no cover songs. Step up to the mic and you bring at least five originals to show you’re serious. That resolve lends the small stage a rare honesty. When someone performs, the songs are entirely their own.

Time Out Tip: Go mid-afternoon when the river breeze drifts through (it can get hot digging for vinyl in the still heat of day, trust us) and flick through the collection for an hour, then stay for a set from a young band trying out songs the world hasn’t heard yet.

The Rot Fai Pier Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang. Open daily, 11am-6.30pm

What is it? Fatblack sounds faintly confrontational until you realise it’s simply a nod to the glossy heft of black vinyl. Tucked away in Huamark, the shop caters to modern collectors who prefer their pressings fresh and their sound systems considered. A few steps away, sleeker machines from Rega hint at more serious aspirations. 

Why we love it: Order, blessed order. Everything is arranged with intention, so you’re not crouching on the floor rifling through neglected stacks hoping for treasure. The curation feels sharp without being snobbish. You can browse without intimidation, which is rarer than it should be in audiophile circles. The pricing is fair, too. Not bargain-bin fantasy, but sensible enough that upgrading your speakers or building a first setup feels achievable rather than reckless. The staff speak in calm, comprehensible sentences and they’ll happily explain the difference between cartridges without making you feel like you’ve wandered into a physics seminar. 

Time Out tip: Scan carefully. Among the crisp new pressings you’ll spot vintage records in surprisingly pristine condition, hiding modestly between contemporary releases.

Thara Rom Alley, Hua Mak. Open daily, midday-8pm

What is it? CD COSMOS begins with one man’s fixation on compact discs, slowly gathering a loyal following before welcoming vinyl as his habits evolved. Now a Phaholnothin regular, they stock turntables, band tees and niche box sets alongside new releases chosen for real listeners. 

Why we love it: Alongside sharp international picks and Thai indie staples, you’ll spot releases from artists across Taiwan, Korea and Japan, some of whom consign their work directly with the store when passing through Bangkok. The selection feels personal, as if each record selection has a small backstory attached. The shop also opens its doors for concerts and listening sessions, turning retail into something more communal, with strangers comparing notes on pressings and regulars trading recommendations. Prices stay friendly – set by fans of music, not algorithms.

Time Out tip: If you can’t be bothered to haul yourself over to Phahonyothin, the shop’s online system is impressively efficient, with multiple ordering channels and worldwide shipping. 

Phahonyothin 30/1, Chan Kasem. Open Monday-Friday, midday-8pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-8pm

What is it? Recoroom began as a happy accident: owner Khun O travels a lot, overbuys records and duplicates inevitably pile up – eventually a shop quietly emerged from the burden. Walk in and you’ll see that what starts as personal overflow becomes a collector’s haunt, with racks spanning soul, funk, blues and rock of all kinds. It even lands on The Vinyl Factory’s world’s best list at 147. 

Why we love it: If you shop here, expect to be encouraged to listen before committing to any purchase. Every record can be play-tested, because, in Khun O’s own words, ‘condition must be judged by ear rather than optimism.’ It’s a philosophy that feels reassuringly analogue in an age of blind clicks, and we love that. If you’re a newcomer to the scene, he gently nudges you to new and unique labels, original pressings from their production years (he loves music from the ‘50s to ‘70s) and pressings straight out of vinyl’s golden era. The focus stays on carefully chosen used copies, second- or third-hand yet treated with care. Prices stretch from manageable hundreds to more serious thousands, depending on rarity and condition.

Time Out tip: Feeling overwhelmed? Think back to the songs your parents played when you were small. Share a title, even a half-remembered chorus. Khun O will likely disappear behind the shelves and return with a pristine pressing warm from the decks. 

Khwaeng Phra Khanong, Khet Khlong Toei. Open daily, 11.05am-7.05pm

What is it? Half-cafe, half-miniature toy museum, this shrine to adolescence lines its walls with over 500 vinyl records while cabinets guard vintage collectibles and gently battered action figures. In the back, Sega consoles wait for pixelated fans and sofas let you lounge and listen with coffee in hand and a distinct lack of any Bangkok rush. 

Why we love it: Being open 24 hours? That alone deserves respect. Few places trust their audience with such freedom. Afternoon crate-digging can stretch seamlessly towards a 3am drink, with a soundtrack you selected yourself. The indoor-outdoor layout blurs edges, making time feel pleasantly irrelevant – exactly what we look for when diving deep into the depths of the vinyl crate. Look closely and you may even notice a discreet rare-record corner nestled among the toy display. That small act of discovery feels oddly intimate, like finding a forgotten mixtape in an old drawer, and for that, we can only applaud.

Time Out tip: Claim a seat, order coffee, admire the old-school figurines and let a record play properly from start to finish without fear of closing time cutting you short.

Bangkok resort, 9 Pradit Manutham Rd, Khwaeng Lat Phrao. Open daily, all day

What is it? Founded by Maft Sai, this Sukhumvit 51 spot politely ignores the Top 40 music chart. Instead, it champions Thai funk, molam and luk thung, genres that once flirted with obscurity, now very much part of the Thai zeitgeist, placing them beside African soul and classic disco. And now their famous bar next door, Studio Lam, has closed up shop (for something more exciting, we hear, on the grapevine), this is your best bet in Bangkok to capture the essence of the surprisingly successful revival of old Thai music.  

Why we love it: A stubborn streak runs through the place, commanded through expert authority over the genre – they were instrumental in re-signing old labels and recovering music almost lost to time. Inside, collections refuse easy popularity and overlooked sounds are reframed as globally relevant. This quiet defiance has earned admirers far beyond Bangkok. Finding the shop – tucked down a dead-end soi near Thonglor BTS – can feel like a cultural scavenger hunt in and of itself. Once inside, you’re likely to leave with an album you’d never previously encountered yet somehow feel attached to by the time the needle retracts. 

Time Out tip: This is also where The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band first took shape. Ask the staff to play a 1970s molam or luk thung selection from the archive. Let it run in full and you’re bound to have your wallet ready. 

Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open Wednesday-Sunday, midday-8pm. Closed Monday-Tuesday

What is it? A shop for die-hard fans in Srinakarin that lives up to its name, serving collectors devoted to the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The racks are mainly a time capsule of classic rock, soul and soft-focus pop, with copies ranging from factory-sealed to gently worn – although we say those faint scuffs often reward the listener with a sense of history.

Why we love it: The owner has spent a lifetime in the company of records, and it shows. Mention an album you half remember from your dad’s car stereo and he’ll crouch beside you, flicking through sleeves with quiet determination until it surfaces. You’re not simply handed an item at the till. You’re given context, anecdotes, small lessons in pressing history. That exchange transforms a purchase into a shared memory, and very few places do it so well.

Time Out tip: Ideal for tracking down deep cuts from your parents’ era or learning how to properly care for ageing vinyl. Ask questions – the man behind the counter doubles as a walking encyclopaedia and seems genuinely pleased when someone wants to listen carefully.

162 Srinagarindra Rd, Nong Bon, Prawet. Open daily, 10am-6.30pm

What is it? Located in the hip Ari neighbourhood, this space grows from the DNA of Gadhouse – the homegrown turntable label with international fans. An ageing building becomes a music and lifestyle hub shaped with Swee Lee, CUFFS and Ciao, all clean lines and warm wood – how very fitting.

Why we love it: The team have worked hard to curate a selection of off-mainstream Thai and international releases with intention, shelving them beside immaculate second-hand finds from the ‘60s through to the ‘90s. Prices remain pleasingly fair, which only sharpens the appeal. Monthly workshops rotate through the calendar, encouraging conversation and experimentation rather than passive browsing. You might walk in searching for a record and leave contemplating your next project.

Time Out tip: Check the event schedule before you visit. Past editions of Demo to Master have welcomed artists such as Na Polycat for intimate discussions on songwriting craft. Also worth a look: the Vinyl Painting corner, where sleeves become your very own canvas.  

Charoen Phon 1 Alley, Phaya Thai. Open daily 11am-8pm

What is it? Holding court at Fortune Town for over a decade, this refreshingly analogue shop champions Thai music in all its forms. Luk thung ballads, indie experiments and obscure regional pressings sit beside contemporary releases. Serious rarities share shelf space with reasonably priced finds.

Why we love it: The team know their catalogue intimately and speak about Thai vinyl with the ease of people who have catalogued half of it themselves. Ask a specific question and you’ll likely receive not just an answer but a small history lesson. DP Music also doubles as a practical lifeline, with proper cleaning solutions, inner and outer sleeves in every imaginable size and sturdy mailing boxes designed for safe shipping. Reorganise your collection, replace worn covers and stock up on essentials without trekking across Bangkok. Efficiency has rarely felt so refreshing in a market that’s usually quite hard to get into.

Time Out tip: Head straight for the rarities section if your wish-list has drawn blanks elsewhere. If you’re still stuck, ask for P’Pae – he has a knack for producing sought-after Thai pressings from shelves you somehow overlooked. 

Ratchadaphisek Rd, Khwaeng Din Daeng. Open daily, midday-8pm

What is it? Recordoffee spans two shophouses on Charoen Krung, feeling polished yet with a hint of underground energy. Half record shop, half coffee bar, it pairs espresso with analogue crackle. Crates anchor one end, the machine the other, high fidelity speakers tying it all together.

Why we love it: Ordering a flat white and immediately asking the staff to play the record you’ve just selected feels indulgent in the best sense of the word. No need to wait until you’re home. The album can be tested properly, through a sound system that does it justice. Recordoffee is also an authorised dealer for respected audio names including Technics and Gadhouse. Considering a turntable upgrade or a new stylus? The team explains options clearly, minus the superiority complex that sometimes shadows hi-fi culture. 

Time Out tip: Take the time to wander through nearby Talat Noi first, then settle in with a stack of records and let one play from start to finish through the shop’s speakers. 

Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan. Open Wednesday-Monday, 8am-8pm. Closed Tuesday.

What is it? What began as an Instagram darling has now grown into a pilgrimage destination for serious vinyl heads. With shelves nodding to the ‘80s and ‘90s, it champions albums once dismissed – now fiercely guarded by collectors. 

Why we love it: Hunting for vinyl here is more pleasure than pain.  You might arrive determined to secure a Madonna LP and leave holding a Japanese jazz-funk pressing you hadn’t previously encountered. The owners have clearly spent years listening carefully, filing away knowledge and developing taste that is now shared with the city. If you’re into discovering music, each visit carries the promise of a new fixation.

Time Out tip: If an unfamiliar sleeve with peculiar artwork catches your attention, ask about it. That strange cover could conceal a rarity unlikely to reappear any time soon and the owners are more than happy to show you around the needle. 

Soi Lat Phrao 8 Yaek 9, Chom Phon, Chatuchak. Open strictly by appointment.

What is it? Although not technically a record shop (although they do have some vinyl), this spot backs into the soft whirr of magnetic tape and the deliberate clunk of the play button. Shelves stack new and secondhand cassettes in a ‘90s mosaic, along with refurbished Walkmans and full-size decks that gleam behind glass, each lovingly restored and ready for new ownership.

Why we love it: If you’re into records, you’re likely into tapes too. And if you’re not, here’s the place to start. Every machine can be tested before you part with your money. You press play, listen for hiss, check the mechanics, decide with your ears rather than a spec sheet. Stepping inside resembles opening a childhood drawer you forgot existed. Albums once saved for with pocket money sit confidently on display. Familiar artwork triggers memories you didn’t realise were still intact, perhaps a little dusty like your memory, but all in perfect working order. The shop trades as much in recollection as in format, offering tiny jolts of recognition that land somewhere between grin and sigh. And there’s a small selection of vinyl too, in case you get the urge. 

Time Out tip: Recently moved but still a little hard to find, hop off the BTS at Victory Monument, wander past Rangnam Road and continue along Soi Watthanayothin for a few minutes and you’ll find it. 

Soi Watthanayothin, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi. Open Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm. Closed Sunday.

What is it? Anchored at Fortune Town for over eight years, this shop grows from an owner who spent a decade collecting within Bangkok’s music circles. That history hums through every crate. Thai luk thung and molam are the heroes here, sitting beside rock, soul and vintage Black music from the ‘60s to ‘80s, many becoming increasingly scarce.

Why we love it: The focus remains on original-era pressings, meaning copies produced in the same year an album first appeared. If you want to hear The Beatles with their proper tonal character intact, the owner will attempt to track down versions from the ‘60s through to the ‘80s – although expect a price tag to match. Thankfully, instead of gatekeeping, the shop gently nudges beginners towards unexpected genres, broadening your tastes without making you feel underqualified. 

Time Out tip: Thai ‘90s releases, classic luk thung and molam are drawing renewed attention from overseas collectors, so start there if you’re curious (and before they go up even more in price). Before setting off, glance at the shop’s Facebook page; the owner posts updates if he’s out at an event, sparing you a wasted journey.

3/F, Fortune Town Ratchadaphisek Rd, Din Daeng. Open daily, 11.30am-8pm

What is it? Founded by two owners, this shop feels more like a shared living room for those who cares about music than anything else. From first-pressing obsessives to those unboxing a first turntable, the mood is warmly domestic and records sit within easy reach.

Why we love it: Anime and soundtrack fans are particularly well catered for here, with a collection that speaks to city pop and end-of-century pop culture. While many stores default to jazz or rock, Sassy Soul gives generous space to Disney releases, Japanese anime scores and carefully sourced rare film soundtracks. Hip-hop, pop and R&B also hold their own, creating a catalogue that refuses to be boxed in – great when digging with friends who share different tastes. You can sample a record before deciding, which removes that faint anxiety of commitment and better still, the team welcomes visitors to bring along a favourite LP to play, share and discuss. 

Time Out tip: Searching for a hard-to-find pressing? Make use of the pre-order service. The shop is happy to source titles from abroad, extending your collection far beyond the neighbourhood.

Yaowarat 27, Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong. Open daily, 11am-7pm. Line: @sassy.soul 

What is it? Hiding along Song Wat Road beyond the cafe circuit, this analogue haven reflects its owner’s formative listening years. The racks favour ‘60s rock, ‘70s Britpop, disco staples and a thoughtful run of Thai alternative records. 

Why we love it: The identity is crisp and confident. The real draw, though, is the treasure trove of seven-inch singles. This format has become increasingly elusive, yet here it’s treated as the hero of the turntable – and for good reason. Many of their copies are first pressings spanning the golden era of vinyl, with everything from dusty secondhands to the seasoned rarities that collectors will clock instantly. 

Time Out tip: If you’re elsewhere in the city, the shop also runs pop-up spaces at Siam Discovery on the second floor and at Siam Paragon in the Nextopia zone on the fifth floor. 

399 Thanon Yaowaphanit, Samphanthawong. Open daily, 11am-8pm

What is it? Founded by independent promoters who once brought revered global indie acts to Thai stages, the shop opened in 2021 as a permanent home for their taste. Indie and alternative anchor the racks, stretching towards soul, funk, hip-hop, house, techno and world music. 

Why we love it: ‘We pick, you dig’ is more manifesto than slogan here. The team selects what excites them, then trusts visitors to respond instinctively. In simple terms, they’re pushing back against algorithm-led habits, encouraging slower decision-making and braver music choices. You might not recognise the name on a sleeve, yet if the design catches your eye or the track list intrigues, the staff are ready to offer context. By the time you reach the counter, your purchase shares more enthusiasm than the usual  retail routine.

Time Out Tip: For old-town ambience, head to the Entertainment Project on Charoen Krung 43, open until midnight (you’ll also find Baa Records there). Prefer a late drink alongside your crate digging? Try Freaking Out The Neighborhood on Soi 36 in Sukhumvit, which runs until 1am. 

1107, Si Phraya, Bang Rak. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, midday-8pm and Friday-Saturday, midday-midnught. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

What is it? Rejecting the predictable secondhand formula, the team excavates overlooked Thai tracks and long-forgotten songs, restoring them for modern ears. With Songkhla origins, they’ve recently expanded into a snug outpost at Entertainment Project on Charoen Krung, where music, drinks and live sets mingle with easy confidence.

Why we love it: Choices hinge less on big names and more on groove, rhythm and the kind of bassline that still feels startlingly modern. Thai disco, funk and synth-pop from the ‘70s through to the ‘90s claim pride of place, many tracks sounding perfectly at home in a current club set. What makes this place special is that the team at Baa Records actively lead reissue projects, tracking down rightsholders to press vintage Thai recordings properly (and legally) on vinyl. That diligence ensures these songs travel further than nostalgia, reaching listeners who may have otherwise never encountered them. 

Time Out Tip: You might encounter a rare seven-inch such as ‘Sin Ha’ or explore the ‘Thailand’s Golden S’ series, releases capable of quietly reshaping how you hear classic Thai music.

Entertainment Project, Soi Charoen Krung 43. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, midday-8pm and Friday-Saturday, midday-midnught. Closed Monday-Tuesday. Contact IG: baa.records

What is it? More Rice Record Store landed on Sukhumvit Soi 31 in 2021, growing from a label devoted to underground dance music, now a fully-fledged production house and shop. Founded by DJs Sarayu, DOTT and Elaheh, it carries that lineage proudly, with house and techno music dominating the shelves.

Why we love it: Selections feel purposeful rather than padded, catering to collectors as well as selectors hunting for their next secret weapon. Duplicate finds are rare, which says plenty about the care taken with each order and crate curation. Accessories are given equal respect. Cartridges, headphones, slipmats and record bags sit alongside clothing, totes and printed matter celebrating vinyl culture. Even the in-store sound system has been chosen with their professional ear, allowing you to listen to records as they were meant to be heard. For those yet to make the journey, the team curates online playlists for home listening, with warnings to not skip ahead and simply let the sequence unfold as intended.

Time Out Tip: If you care about house, techno or any of their sub-genres, block out proper browsing time rather than rushing between errands. Ask what has just arrived and what the founders are currently playing in their own sets. 

Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Tan Nuea. Open Tuesday-Friday, 1pm-8pm and Saturday, 3pm-8pm. Closed Sunday-Monday.