TAILORS: Just like Hong Kong, Thailand is reputed
for its custom tailors. With a plus: this is the country of silk, and hand
made clothing in this material are available for one tenth of the Western
price. Shops are hiring external tailors. Therefore, wherever you go, consider
the shopkeeper... as a shopkeeper. Tell him what you are looking for, and
how much you would like to pay. Bargaining is part of the deal; but do
not require dirty cheap job, as you would receive dirty cheap quality of
clothes also ! Serious shopkeepers will do their best to make you understand
where is your interest.
There is high range of quality fabrics from round the world. Imported one tend to be better than local one. Excepting silk, of course, which is superb in Thailand. Latest fashions from Paris, Milan, London and New York are their speciality. This just happens in this wonderful country indeed, except if you are a millionaire: staff even comes to your hotel, round the clock, for fitting ! You can also reach the shop by free pick-up from anywhere in town. The clothes can be ready made in 24 hours; though the manager, perfection oriented, prefers clients to leave his tailor little bit more time to work on these small details which make the difference. Prices are much affordable. In approximation, gents will pay between US$ 95 to 165 for a two piece suit. Maximum price for a three piece is US$ 195. Trousers cost US$ 28 to 55. Cotton shirts US$ 22. Just pay six dollars more... and they make it in silk ! An Armani style overcoat comes for US$ 165. Prices are more or less the same for ladies. One blouse is US$ 40 to 55. One skirt US$ 32 to 55. AMARI INTERNATIONAL TAILORS also proposes special package deals: for a total price of US$ 250, gents will receive one formal suit, one summer suit, two trousers, two shirts and two ties. Same offer for ladies, with one suit, one silk dress or casual suit, two silk blouses and two silk scarves. A recommended fair and confident shop. AMARI
INTERNATIONAL TAILORS: A3, 13-16 646/8 Nailert Market (opposite
Amari Watergate hotel), Pratunam, Phetburi, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400
THE
BOSS APPARELS: The boss actually gets
a name: Mack. His faithful clients remember it by heart, and send him letters
and commands from Germany, Mack also displays his own design, which is somehow stylish when he surfs on the Italian influence. This gentleman is also a traveller, and regularly visit Europe to measure you. Prices are based on the ones practised by most of Bangkok tailors, for a very distinct quality. The shop is very well located near by Siam Square, Mahbookhrong popular shopping plaza, and a few meters from Jim Thomson's house. By December 1999, the sky train will stop just overhead: the showroom is just besides the stairs. In the same premise there is a very well fitted delicatessen, plus a cybercorner equipped with powerful Pentium II computers, and high speed 56 Kbps US ROBOTIC modems. When we visited the shop, in August 1999, this was actually the cheapest place to surf on the Internet: 30 THB for 15 minutes, and 120 THB per hour... including soft drink. If you stay more, you will be offered beer ! Worth
the visit.
THE
BOSS APPARELS: 925/6-8 Rama 1 Rd, Pratumwan, Opposite National Stadium,
Bangkok 10330
Distinguished clients come from the nearest deluxe hotels (Sheraton, Landmark, Pan Pacific...): among them are smart people like us, but also diplomats coming from the nearby embassies, Hollywood movie stars, government officials, pop singers from the U.S., Italian football team players, and many other celebrities. An authentic hall of fame! All of them ask for Mr. Sam, the friendly and proficient Managing Director, tell him what they are looking for. Should it be men suit, blazer, tuxedo, tailcoat, overcoat, trench coat, shirt or splendid dress, blouse and skirt for ladies. All models can be ready within 24 hours, and are proposed in an amazing choice of fabrics, styles and colours (400 for some ladies suits!): just to make you look like unique, indeed. NEW ROYAL FASHIONS not only offers to pick up its clients to their hotel, free of charge, but its staff also regularly travels to countries like SWEDEN, NORWAY, DENMARK, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND and AUSTRIA to show its latest collections, then take measurements and orders. Every major city and small towns are visited: if interested, you can contact Mr. Sam directly: using the e-mail address at the end of our article. Prices are extremely attractive. Don't miss they packages. For men, they start from USD 220: including 2 suits (2 pcs each), 2 shirts, and 2 ties! For USD 50 you will get 3 shirts. One suit (2 pcs) goes for as less as USD 99. A smart tuxedo for USD 100! Ladies packages are also very attractive: 1 suit (2 pcs), 2 skirts or trousers, and 2 blouses would start from USD 200. A dress would cost about USD 70. Of course, prices depend upon the quality of the selected fabric and style. NEW ROYAL FASHIONS can also make a special price package depending on your budget and desires. Don't hesitate to ask them. The prices mentioned above are only for sales in BANGKOK. The above mentioned prices are approximate, and do not include the delivery charges to Europe, insurance or the custom taxes. One of the very best references
in town.
DELICATESSEN: THE ORIENTAL SHOP: More than its prestigious brand name, THE ORIENTAL hotel gave The Oriental Shop -the best grocery in town- all its experience in gastronomy. On its shelves, all the best imported western products are available. Home made herbs sausages, chicken pates, are good. Goose and duck liver are excellent. We particularly enjoyed confectionery and torte. The Sacher is almost as perfect as on Vienna's "Ring". Excellent mark to the Opera and Tiramisu. Ice-cream and sorbets are worth being tried. Chocolates taste like the best Swiss and Belgian brands. Good choice of jams and marmalades: pomelos is original, tasty, and rich in fruits. Remarkable wine cellar, with truly unique French vintages (awfully expensive, of course) matching very well with the cheese, freshly imported from Auvergne and Normandy. A very popular address with residents and local high society, sharing with French visitors the nostalgia of good taste. THE ORIENTAL SHOP:
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 FIRST
CLASS AROUND THE WORLD |
tailors
are excellent businessmen: the boss is too, aiming profit through
confidence. No chat-chat-chat here: there is an available price list, a
good hired tailor specialized in Savile Row and Italian style suits and
shirts, and no surprise when you pick up the clothes. The aim of these
people is to make you fully satisfied, so that you will come back or mail
order more piece of clothes during the year.
Scandinavia,
England, and all these countries where his shop's name would actually remember
a famous German designer he likes to copy the cuts. Using local and imported
fabrics: pure silk from Thailand and China (not that cheap washed silk
you find on the local markets: actually a superb one, used by the world
most famous fashion designers), soft linen, and plenty of cottons from
various origins. No fake labels, but certified fabrics; contrary to many
other shops only local advertisers still dare recommending. We very
much enjoyed his shirts: shapes are smart, with those details (a "secret"
pocket for your precious pen, for instance) which show he is a real professional.
Quite normal, since he has been in the business for more than 12 years.
