Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [100]
Like Chatuchak without the hot weather and crowds, the Night Bazaar specialises in modern Thai souvenirs, clothes and handicrafts. Highlights among the 3700 stalls include handmade jewellery, one-of-a kind designer T-shirts and a unique furniture and home decor section. If you can find it, Nancy Chandler’s map outlines interesting shopping at the bazaar. If shopping’s not your idea of fun, the central outdoor beer garden is the perfect place to nurse an imported beer while the family is hunting for gifts.
There has long been talk that Suan Lum is slotted for the wrecking ball, but until the bulldozers arrive, we’re remaining sceptical.
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THANON SUKHUMVIT
Supplies for the recently arrived expat can be found in the shops that line never-ending Th Sukhumvit. Furniture, clothes and household knick-knacks hang out on upper Sukhumvit, while tourist souvenirs are centred west of Soi 11.
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ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK…IS NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE A SUIT MADE
Many tourists arrive in Bangkok with the notion of getting clothes custom-tailored at a bargain price. Which is entirely possible. Prices are almost always lower than what you’d pay at home, but common scams ranging from commission-hungry túk-túk drivers to shoddy workmanship and inferior fabrics make bespoke tailoring in Bangkok a potentially disappointing investment. To maximise your chances of walking away feeling (and looking) good, read on…
The golden rule of custom tailoring is that you get what you pay for. If you sign up for a suit, two pants, two shirts and a tie, with silk sarong thrown in for US$169 (a very popular offer in Bangkok), the chances are it will look and fit like a sub-US$200 wardrobe. Although an offer may seem great on the surface, the price may fluctuate significantly depending on the fabric you choose. Supplying your own fabric won’t necessarily reduce the price by much, but it should ensure you get exactly the look you’re after. If it’s silk you fancy, go straight to the Jim Thompson outlet (opposite) for quality at good prices.
Have a good idea of what you want before walking into a shop. If it’s a suit you’re after, should it be single- or double-breasted? How many buttons? What style trousers? Of course, if you have no idea then the tailor will be more than happy to advise… Alternatively, bring a favourite garment from home and have it copied.
Set aside a week to get clothes tailored. Shirts and trousers can often be turned around in 48 hours or less with only one fitting, but no matter what a tailor may tell you, it takes more than one and often more than two fittings to create a good suit. Most reliable tailors will ask for two to five sittings. Any tailor that can sew your order in less than 24 hours should be treated with caution.
Reputable tailors include the following:
Forchong (Map; 0 2258 7823; Th Sukhumvit; 9am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm Sun) Recommended by both locals and expat residents, this long-standing tailor does quality work.
Manhattan Custom Tailor (Map; 0 2253 0173; 155/9 Soi 11/1, Th Sukhumvit; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat) One of an abundance of tailors located around the lower Sukhumvit area, Manhattan gets good reviews.
Marco Tailors (Map; 0 2251 7633; 430/33 Soi 7, Siam Sq; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri) Dealing solely in men’s suits, this longstanding and reliable tailor has a wide selection of banker-sensibility wools and cottons.
Nickermann’s Tailor (Map; 0 2252 6682; www.nickermanns.net; basement, Landmark Hotel, 138 Th Sukhumvit; 10am-9pm) Corporate ladies rave about Nickermann’s tailor-made power suits: pants and jackets that suit curves and busts. Formal ball gowns are another area of expertise.
Pinky Tailors (Map; 0 2252 9680; www.pinkytailor.com; 888/40 Mahatun Plaza Arcade, Th Ploenchit; 10am-7.30pm Mon-Sat) Custom-made suit jackets have been Mr Pinky’s speciality for 35 years. Located behind the Mahatun Building.
Raja’s Fashions (Map; 0 2253 8379; 1/6 Soi 4, Th Sukhumvit; 10.30am-8.30pm Mon-Sat) One of Bangkok’s more famous tailors, Raja’s gets a mixed bag of reviews but the majority