Free places to play chess in Bangkok 5

These places cost nothing to join. The Bangkok Chess Club's Friday evening at a pub in Phrom Phong has no entry fee: players drift in through the evening for casual games before the night's tournament. CapyChess at Seacon Square in Prawet keeps its tables free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and Unisus runs free-play areas at The Street Ratchada and Samyan Mitrtown, where anyone interested in chess, go or makruk can sit down.

In Sathon, a café has hosted a free Thursday chess social with DJs. Chulalongkorn University's library board-game service has chess on weekday afternoons and evenings, free for the university's students and staff and for Satit Chula pupils. Free entry suits a first visit or a casual game, though a café or pub may still expect you to order a drink.