Bangkok Library Digital library and information center for Bangkok, Thailand

The David Thomas Library (also known as the SIL International Library for Linguistic Research) is a specialist library that focuses on minority languages of Southeast Asia. It also includes books and other publications on religion, social sciences, anthropology, linguistics, education, folklore and other subjects. It is a small library, with approximately 10,600 books, articles and journals. Most of its visitors are university students from Mahidol University. It also attracts students from Thammasart University and other people with an interest in linguistics and language research.

Despite its small size, the library is packed with useful and otherwise difficult to find academic books and journals. The collection includes modern titles and old issues going back to the 1970s. Although much of the collection is oriented to academic research, there are some books and publications that should interest anyone involved in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and intermediate or advanced students of Thai language.

Anyone can borrow books from the library for a short period (about three days) for free, although most visitors opt to use the photocopying service which costs a reasonable one baht per A4 page. The library is funded as a public service by SIL International based in Dallas.

Opening times

The David Thomas Library is open from 09:30 - 16:30 Monday to Friday.

The librarian works on Monday to Thursday only.

Contact details

Phone: +66(0)2270-0211

Website: http://msea-ling.info/dt-library/librabout.shtml

Getting there

The David Thomas Library is located in Phaholyothin Soi 8 (Soi Sailom) about 150m from the main road. It is a 10 minute walk from the nearby BTS Ari (สถานีอารีย์) skytrain station. Leave the station following the signs for Phaholothin, exit number 4.

The library and its offices are housed at the rear of Royal Park (รอยัลปาร์ค) condominium building on the left-hand side of the soi. It is clearly signposted from the road.

Address and map

The David Thomas Library
41/5 Soi Sailom (Phahol Yothin Soi 8), Phahol Yothin Road
Samsennai
Phaya Thai
Bangkok
Thailand