The library of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC is one of “specialization”, with emphasis placed on collections of books, magazines, other printed and digital materials relating to Thailand and Thai – US relations.

These books have been gathered bit by bit over a long period of time, some of which came in as early as pre World War II.  However, they had not been sorted out and classified as “library”, making it easily accessible. Therefore, in 2008, on the occasion of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Thai – US relations, the Embassy did initiate a project for the setting up of the Embassy’s library, with the primary goal that this library serve as a decent depository of books on Thailand and Thai – US relations, for the benefits of the Embassy’s officials, students and other individuals, who may be interested in the subjects.

Following six-month-long groundwork, the library was opened on September 1, 2008. The library is housed on the ground floor of the Embassy’s chancery building, located at 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007.  Upon its inauguration, the library is one of tiny size, with books in English and Thai numbering only 1,400. Most of the books concern Thai history, Thai arts, Thai literature, Buddhism, Monarchy and Thai - US relations, some of which could be classified as rare and of great historical and literary value.

The Embassy’s library is classified in the Dewey System. It is equipped with facilities for online searches and reservations.  However, upgrading of the Embassy’s facilities continues, in line with its primary goal to increase the number of books and printed materials that concern Thailand and Thai – US relations. The setting up of magazines corner and digital materials corner is underway, particularly that of Thai films and music. The Embassy has set its goal that this library will become one day an important source in the United States of information on Thailand and Thai – US relations.

Library Administrator
September 1, 2008