Bangkok is full of gems and hidden gems of everything! It's so lively and it's like there's a place for everybody and their interest. The city is packed and crowded but as an introvert, Bangkok would still give you room and space for your serenity in an exciting way. Especially, when it comes to... indie bookstores! On my short visit last February 2023, I went to two bookstores. One of them is Books & Belongings, located in the middle of the housing area in Sukhumvit.

Books & Belongings Store Front

When I saw the shop front, the simplicity of the exterior says it all. Minimalistic, quirky, and bold characters. The three elements I decode have shaped a subtle eclectic progressive lit culture. I know I would find so many good titles in this place! With a cup of Thai Ice tea I bought from the Erawan Museum in my hand, I entered the bookshop.

The bookshop was ... also calming. Only the shopkeeper was there. No other visitor, but me. 

Books and Belongings Inside

I was greeted with lots of titles facing my way from their own places on the bookshelves. The shop was small, with enough space to go back and forth the aisle. There's a main table placed in the center, and the shelves stand surrounding it alongside the walls. The cashier's desk is on the right and a small table with two chairs on my left when I entered this candy store.

All of a sudden, to my regret, I asked why my luggage was already full at this moment. I am sure these books would add up to some kgs but worth more than anything else. Well, I put my cup and my bag on the table so I can enjoy every side freely. I felt safe coz literally there was nobody else. 

There are fiction titles and non-fiction ones. Most titles are the ones I have never seen before! That made the best moment of truth of the day. But on the other hand, that also made the shopping decision would be much harder coz I couldn't just buy anything that caught my attention. I had to choose for the sake of financial sanity and my luggage safety. 

When I spent my time checking these titles and peeked inside, I realized why visiting a bookstore when you travel is a must. Cultural differences and backgrounds have given us diverse perceptions that lead us to be mesmerized by different things. A different taste. Even for any similarities found, I would still find the beauty of how we are somehow connected by the same thing. 

However, Books & Belongings has brought more soul by bringing out more variety of topics through their selected titles. You'd know when a bookstore owner(s) has put his/her/their dedication into curating the titles, not just purely selling books, but selling art and ideas. Totally a bookshop that makes you giddy anytime you just remember the memory of you experiencing every corner.

To my disappointment is that they don't accept Card Payments. I was stressed out coz I've always been a cashless person and I thought this hipster bookstore would be the kind that has many payment options. I was wrong. Luckily I had the exact amount needed to pay! Or else, it would be a great embarrassment for me. Ha!

I paid and left. Feeling like a champion. 

For finally making it to this bookstore, and getting myself these gems.

Books & Belongings

502 Soi Sukhumvit 95, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10260, Thailand

Opens: 11AM - 7.30PM

Note: Bring cash money. No card payments.