Best book events in Bangkok right now

If your reading list has been stuck in “I’ll get to it”, this is a solid reset. theWHOLESOME Book Club teams up with Read Me Again for guided sessions at The Commons Thonglor, split neatly into Thai and English back-to-back discussions – join whichever suits, or stay for both.

The upcoming line-up keeps things current without being predictable. May leans into BookTok with It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover; June shifts to Pride Month with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller; July goes more literary with Han Kang’s Greek Lessons. Expect structured prompts, a relaxed crowd and just enough moderation to keep things moving. Snacks are included, which helps.

When: May 16, June 20, July 18, 2pm-3pm (Thai), 3.30pm-4.30pm (English)
Where: The Commons Thonglor
Price: B329 (includes snacks)

A book discussion that assumes you’ve actually done the reading. This session from Read Me Again centres on Uketsu’s Strange Pictures, a Japanese mystery that’s been gaining traction for good reason.

Held at Bo BKK around sunset, the format is guided rather than performative – expect prompts, small-group exchanges and a steady conversation flow in either Thai or English. After that, it opens up into casual networking with a glass of wine in hand. It’s low-pressure but not low-effort: turning up without finishing the book is the only real faux pas here.

When: May 17, 5pm-6pm
Where: Bo BKK, Sathon
Price: B750 (includes one glass of wine)

Reserve your spot here.

Twice a year, one of Bangkok's most beautiful heritage buildings turns into a book lover’s playground. The Neilson Hays Library’s biannual sale spreads hundreds of titles across its neoclassical interiors, with prices starting from just B20.

Stock covers fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cookbooks and more, in both Thai and English. The smart move is to go more than once – titles rotate daily, so what’s not there today might appear tomorrow.

Even if you leave empty-handed (unlikely), the setting alone is worth it. Founded in 1869 and housed in its current building since 1921, the library still carries its original details – from wooden shelves to ceiling fans – alongside more recent recognition, including a UNESCO conservation award.

When: May 16-24 (closed May 18), 9.30am-5pm
Where: Neilson Hays Library, Surawong
Price: Free entry

This is the one you plan for. Book Expo Thailand returns for its 31st edition, taking over Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for ten days of full-scale browsing.

Expect seven zones covering everything from general fiction and YA to comics, children’s books, second-hand finds and international titles. The last edition drew more than 1.5 million visitors – and it shows. Come early, bring a bag and ideally a list, though most people abandon that halfway through.

Discounts and publisher deals run throughout, making it one of the few times buying books in bulk feels entirely justified.

When: Oct 23-Nov 1
Where: Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (Halls 5-7)
Price: Free entry

Full programme: Thai Book Fair

Not all book fairs need crowds and queues. The Bank of Thailand Learning Centre offers something more relaxed: a three-day fair by the Chao Phraya that blends browsing with lingering.

Beyond a solid mix of publishers and genres, the event layers in workshops, live music and a riverside reading zone that actually encourages you to sit down rather than rush through. There’s also access to the centre’s museum and learning spaces, which makes this feel more like a day out than a quick shop.

It only comes around once a year, so it’s worth blocking out properly.

When: July 10-12, 10am-6.30pm
Where: BOT Learning Centre, Samsen
Price: Free entry

Full details: botlc.or.th