Thais are known for their excellent craftsmanship, and this extends to tailoring. If you’re looking for a wardrobe full of brand new clothes, then Pattaya has a lot to offer. Tailor-made clothes can be made within 24 hours at extremely competitive prices. Design your own items or select from a brochure, and choose from an extensive range of fabrics.
Prices and quality can vary, and it pays to spend some time looking around. If you have time to spare, try having one item made initially. If you are happy with the result, then go back for more. Walking street is the most famous area for tailors in Pattaya, and contains a number of high quality establishments, though many of them are on the pricey side.
South Pattaya’s Second road and Beach road also contain several decent tailors capable of recreating any style you choose. It is quite common to have a set of three suits, two silk shirts and ties or the equivalent made for around 7,850 baht (£125). As a general rule, the longer you can wait and more money you have to spend, the more superior the results. Insist on having fittings - at least two for the best results. That way you can view the clothes as they are created, and will be able to instruct the tailor regarding exactly how you want the pieces to look.
Though tempting, it is usually best to avoid tailors who offer fantastically low prices, as they can produce shoddy work. If you are willing to spend a decent amount of money, you can get some spectacular clothes, but be prepared to bargain. You do not need to overspend. Have a look in a few places to get an idea of what the going price are before committing. Expect prices for a top quality tailor made suit to start at 4,500 baht (£71), and prices for a slightly lower quality suit to be around 3,000 baht (£47).
When trying clothes on, be sure to pay attention. It is easy to look at yourself in the mirror, declare that the clothes look great from the front, and then hurry out of the shop after paying. Check that the stitching is straight, pinstripes meet where they should, and observe the overall quality of the item. If you are not entirely satisfied with the work, speak up.
Lord’s Tailors on Walking street is one of Pattaya’s oldest tailor shops, dating from 1975, and their work is of a high quality. They are proud of the fact that they make business trips to Europe to personally measure shoppers who do not wish to travel to Thailand. Nini Tailors and Jim’s International on Pattaya Two road also come highly recommended by travellers.
