Passport Books & Cafe in Bangkok

I stayed in the old city of Bangkok known as the Ko Ratanakosin during my recent trip. This district rests in a bend of the river in the middle of Bangkok and contains some of the city's most historic architecture and prestigious universities. The river bank of this area is stippled with piers and markets, worthwhile attractions in themselves. It is an easy 15-minute walk from my hotel to this area and the nearby Banglamphu area, which contains the Khao San Road, the backpacker haven dotted with internet cafes, souvenir shops and guesthouses. One night I was out and about looking for a noodle shop recommended by Lonely Planet and I discovered Passport Books & Cafe on Th Phra Athit.

The friendly owner of Passport Books told me that the noodle shop next door had gone out of business for over a year. So I instead ordered some curry rice and roti bread at Roti Mataba two doors down and sat outside on the sidewalk, mingling with some locals and watching the busy traffic and Thais returning to the neighborhood from work. Passport Books and Cafe sells books mostly in Thai language with a few English translated editions. A short climb up the creaky star at the back of the store took me to a serene mezzanine with about 6 tables. I settled down at the back of the loft at a corner table and drank a cup of latte (40B, USD$1). I came to hang out here almost every day and wrote postcards to friends and family back home. It's a great place to take a break from walking through the hustle-and-bustle of Bangkok where every inch of space is used to making a living.

Passport Bookshop
142 Phra Arthit Road
Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200
Thailand