Guide to English bookshops in Chiang Mai
Gecko has a vast range of new and used books
With its large numbers of expats, Chiang Mai is the only city in Northern Thailand with a respectable selection of English bookshops; most of which are to be found within walking distance of Thapae Gate.
For new books, DK Book Centre and Suriwong Book Centre are the most popular, while SE-ED Book Centre (Carrefour Hypermart) has a great range of non-fiction books. Bookazine and Bookzone have a good generic selection of international magazines and news media, along with the usual range of fiction and travel books. The major shopping centres of Central and Airport Plaza have stores with a limited range of English books, while the Suriwong branch at Chiang Mai Airport has a somewhat better selection.
Second hand bookshops have sprung up in the area just east of Thapae Gate, making this a convenient place to compare range and prices. The majority of the books are popular fiction paperbacks and travel guides, though don't expect any real bargains as most have been shipped in from the UK and cost about 300 baht a book. Nonetheless, they do offer trade-ins and have a great selection.
Recommended book shops in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Bookshop
This brand new service for book-lovers in Chiang Mai offers an unlimited supply of thrillers, fiction, biography, history, crime, sport and travel tomes from only 67 baht a week. Simply select three titles at a time and when you are finished replace them with another three from the online library, with free pick-up and delivery within the city. Email: michael@chiangmaibookshop.com, tel: +66 (0)884 333 877.
Suriwong Book Centre
A large international bookstore with many great titles on Thailand; particularly coffee table books. 54/1-5 Sridonchai Road, tel: (053) 281 052.
Bookazine
English language bookstore chain. Chang Khlan Road, tel: (053) 281 370.
On The Road
A small, down-to-earth shop with very reasonable prices, conveniently located near the Irish Pub. Not too overwhelming but decent selection. Ratvithi Road (in the old town).
DK Book Centre
A large bookstore but with a limited selection of English books, and few fiction titles. Kotchasarn Road, tel: (053) 207 556.
SE-ED Book Centre (Book Variety Chiang Mai)
Best for non-fiction titles and computer books. Located in Carrefour on the Superhighway near the Chiang Mai-Doi Saket road. Carrefour Chiang Mai (1st floor), tel: (053) 851 181-2.
CM Book Exchange
Good range of secondhand books. 59 Chang Moi Tad Mai Road, tel: (053) 251 464.
Gecko Books
Good range of secondhand books with English-speaking owner. Four locations in town. 2/6, Chang Moi Kao Road, tel: (053) 874 066.
Backstreet Books
Nice interior, good selection, right beside Gecko. Chang Moi Kao Road, tel: (053) 874 143.
Thapae Gate Books
Offshoot of Gecko, good range of secondhand books, easy to spot across from Thapae Gate. 2 Chaiyapoom Road, tel: (053) 874 066.
Shaman Books
Centrally located, near Thapae Gate, this small shop specialises in new age books. 2 Soi 1, Kotchasarn Road, tel: (053) 275 272.
The Lost Bookshop
Small, but with some good finds and prices. 34/3 Ratchamanka Road.
The Bookshop
Modest selection of books. 59/7 Loi Kroh Road.
Tokyodo Books
Japanese bookstore in Central Mall on the third floor. Huay Keaw Road, tel: (053) 894 402.
Zirieng
Limited English books, but loads of office supplies and more. 20 Ratwithi Road, tel: (053) 223 600.
