The best record shops in Bangkok

This is the kind of place your uncle might have brought you to back in the day – and it hasn’t changed much since. Open for nearly half a century, Nong Taprachan is part store, part stage and fully committed to supporting homegrown talent. They're not just peddling old CDs or second-hand vinyl. Artists perform live here, but under one rule: no covers. It’s all about original songs, because copyright laws don’t mess around. Newcomers need at least five original tracks to step on their stage. It’s DIY, it’s old-school and honestly it's kind of badass. Bonus is if you’re hunting for a specific tape, vinyl or even a CD player, they'll do their best to find it – even if it means tracking it down overseas.

14 Taprachan, Wang Lang Pier (Rot Fai Pier Alley), Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang. 02-221-4421. Open daily 11am-6.30pm.

This place started as an IG shop, but now it's a real-deal destination for vinyl nerds who know their stuff. The curation leans heavily into '80s and '90s records – think of it as a love letter to the era when CDs were taking over, but vinyl still had soul. You’ll find albums that never got mainstream attention, which makes every visit feel like a treasure hunt. It can be the kind of place where you might walk in for Madonna and leave with an obscure Japanese jazz-funk LP you didn’t know existed.

110 Soi Lat Phrao 8 Yaek 9, Chom Phon, Chatuchak. 083-839-2016.

The name says it all. This spot doesn’t just cater to die-hard fans – it’s run by one. The selection skews classic, from clean-as-new pressings to scratched-up beauties from the ’60s to the ’80s. The owner is a music lifer who’ll dig through stacks with you just to find that one album you half-remember from your childhood. You can come for the music but stay for the stories. And yes, half the joy is just chatting with the guy behind the counter who knows way too much about vinyl.

162 Srinagarindra Rd, Nong Bon, Prawet. 082-982-6833. Open daily 9am-6.30pm.

Don't let the name throw you off – ‘fat black’ isn’t about the owner, it’s about the records. This place is for collectors who want new pressings and serious gear (think Crosley to Rega). Prices are refreshingly reasonable and while they cater mostly to people looking to build or upgrade their home setups, you can still pick up some vintage records if you look closely enough. It feels more curated than chaotic, which is honestly a relief.

345 Thara Rom Alley, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi. 087-124-4421. Open daily 12pm-8pm.

Run by DJ Maft Sai, Zudrangma is a safe space for global music fans who also happen to have good taste. Forget top 40 – this place champions Thai funk, molam, luk thung and overlooked regional gems that would otherwise fade into history. It’s part record store, part archival mission and fully committed to turning forgotten Thai sounds into cult classics. There’s also African soul, rare disco and imported records that’ll have even the most jaded collector perking up. If you want to leave with something you’ve never heard before, go here.

7/1 Sukhumvit 51, Wattana. 083-063-1335. Open Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-8pm. 

More than a record shop, this one’s a full-on nostalgia trap – in the best way. Half cafe, half mini-museum, Vinyl & Toys is packed with vintage collectibles, action figures and enough old-school games to make any ’90s kid emotional. The vibe is chill, the food’s decent and the music selection is pretty solid, too. There’s a rare record section tucked between the toys, and the indoor-outdoor setup makes it easy to lose track of time. It’s like hanging out at a cool friend’s place – if your friend had 500 records and a working Sega console.

9/19 Pradit Manutham Rd (Ram Indra-Ardnarong), Lad Phrao. 080-088-8089. Open 24 hours.

This is the indie kid’s go-to – part record shop, part music distribution hub and part community hangout. No matter if you’re after brand-new vinyl, CDs, cassettes, posters or just some niche band merch, CD COSMOS has it. The vibe is low-key but passionate, with a rotating cast of music nerds hanging out and swapping recs. It’s the kind of spot where you might drop by for one thing and end up in a two-hour debate about the best Radiohead B-side.

1582 Phahonyothin 30/1, Chan Kasem, Chatuchak. 093-051-6446. Open daily Monday-Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm.

Situated inside a pair of shophouses on Charoen Krung, Recordoffee is equal parts cafe and record space. The vibe is chill, curated, and just a little bit underground – an ideal hangout for crate-diggers who like their coffee strong and their music analog. You can browse records, sip a flat white, and even ask the staff to spin a vinyl of your choice while you hang. They're also an official distributor for audio gear like Technics, Gadhouse and Audio-Technica, so if you're in the market for a turntable upgrade, you’re in good hands. What makes it even better is that the staff are as friendly as the playlist is smooth.

95 14-15 Charoen Krung Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong. 083-782-7442. Open daily 8am–8pm. Closed Tuesday.