I haven't been able to find any up to date information on a good tailor (for my husband) while we are in Bangkok in April 2010. He is looking for a few shirts, but no suits or anything too elaborate. I am hoping to get a few recommendations from the "experts"!

We have 2 days in BKK at the beginning of our trip from April 4 to 6. We are staying at the Peninsula, so we would prefer somewhere close by, although we will be touring around, so it would also be fine if the tailor is located near a "tourist spot" we will be visiting in any event. (I know, I know, I am being vague).

We then have an afternoon in BKK on April 17 before we leave for Hong Kong, so it would be possible to pick up his shirts then, if necessary.

Thank you for your suggestions. ONLY 51 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE!!

Try Cotton House at the OP place just behind the Oriental. I plan to check it out myself next week. (although i am not sure if its a mans and a ladies tailor?!

i have all my shirts made by jack at monet il sarto on the upper level at the marriott plaza which is a 5-7 minute taxi ride from the pen, or two fantastic free boat rides from the penn (pen boat to skytrain and then the marriott boat)...

i have one of my newest shirts on today in fact---super fine cotton in a red tone with a slight design to the fabric--red on red if you will.

you will have time for one fitting which should be fine...he is in the shop from about 10-8 M to sat...

very affordable and tons of fabrics to choose from... tell him bob sent you...

Monte il Sarto does very fine work but based uupon 2 visits I have spent probably $3000USD and recived $12000 worth of suits slacks and sport jackets. The but is though the quality of the material he uses for the shirts I have had made there is better than I purchase at Lord & Taylor for $75-$85 the fit is no better and it really takes 2 fittings 12+ hours apart to get it right. Yes, you save $25/shirt but it is a hassle. Why not have him make your husband 2 pair of slacks from 180 Superfine fabric that Canali uses for $100 each that would cost $350-$400 in the US? If you arrived at 10-10:30AM to pick out fabric-don't select less than 160 Superfine but get 180 it feels much better, and spend 45-50 minutes picking out 2 colors and let him measure you can come back after dinner, he actually does not close until 9:30, if you request it for a semi-final fitting that will take 20 minutes. Then you can return at either 10AM in the morning or before dinner and the slacks will be ready. For $200 you will have $800 worth of gorgeous slacks that will look good and last for years.TRust me he is great. I must admit he does not do well on any womens clothes other than business pant suits.

Conde Nast Traveler did an article on two tailors in Bangkok -- http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/...6?pageNumber=6

The Raja brothers are well known and highly regarded with good PR and got into CN. On my first visit I went there and to Monti but the price difference at least on suits and slacks was 15%+/- higher.

my shirts could not fit any better and there is no comparison with a readi-made shirt, plus all the extras like monogramming, details, stitching, pen pockets, unusual buttons, etc...

rhkkmk is correct that those are the big advantages of custom shirts. At the "Custom Shop" in NYC you will pay 3 times the amount for that level of detail i.e. monoramming, special stitching.

Thanks for all the great info!

I think we will definitely check out Monti il Sarto for pants and/or shirts - once we get there, my husband can decide what he wants. I really like the idea of mongramming the shirts!

If you like stiff, glued collars, then Monet Il Sarto is your man.

If you want better quality shirts at slightly higher prices ($5-10/shirt more), then Maxcoco in OP Place (same building as Cotton House, but on the 2nd floor) is a good choice.

riz---the collars are the thing i like least about his shirts... i prefer the american softer style that can be starched like those from brooks brothers...

If your husband has a sport jacket or slacks that fit him to a tie, I was not so lucky for on each visit I had gained a few pounds, bring them with you to show Monti and then pick out Superfine 180's fabrics of Canali or Zegna rather than the fabric Hugo Boss uses that he also has. The price of the former 2 are maybe $5-$* more a pair or $20 more in a sport jacket but the feel and drape is much better.In a few weeks I am sending Monti one of 5 pair he made in 2007 that I had altered in US, to let out the waist, and have him make me up 3 pair in Loro Piana fabric. He will likely charge me $160-$180 but in the US they are $750 a pair.By the way on my last trip because we were on our way to Malaysia after Thailand I had him ship them home for me 3 days before I was scheduled to fly back to the US. The shipping cost for a large order was $110 and he split the cost with me and I did not have to carry it around Asia. Just a thought.

We won't be able to bring pants or shirts to show the tailor, since we will be backpacking this trip. The idea of getting them shipped back to Canada is also appealing for that reason since BKK is our first stop on a 20 day trip. Think of how creased those shirts would be!

Is Monti reliable in terms of timing? We have a very short window in BKK (although we could race to pick up the stuff on our way to the airport at the end of our trip).

Monti did ours on-time. If it is only shirts it will be no problem but if you really want quality work on slacks it can be done with 2 visits but for a suit or sport jacket it takes 3 visits.With only a few days in BK I am not sure you want your time revolving around custom tailoring even though it is quite the value. I do not know your schedule but since I arrive in the late evening from the US I go there after breakfast the next morning at 10 and I am out and about before 11AM to do touring. I tell him to expect me back at either 6 or 9 (before or after dinner) for the first fitting. I then return the next morning at 10 for a second fitting and that is it until I pick them up or have them shipped. But, if there is need for some additional minor adjustment I trust him enough to make the adjustment before he ships me the package.
I cannot find his card right now but you can google his site and email him a week before you plan to go and confirm he will not be away and he personally will do the measurements and help you select the fabrics. In shirts you should get Egyptian Cotton 100's ($40+/-=$125in US) or 140's ($55-$65=$160 in US). If you are purchasing 1 or 2 shirts you likely cannot bargain except on some portion of the shipping.If you add 2 pair of slacks to 3 shirts after he gives you a price you can likely offer 10% less and he will accept. It is not like in the markets where you should only pay 40%-60% of the asking price based upon the item.

in terms of time reliability i would give him a 7, especially for quick orders, but it really depends on how busy they are and how holidays etc fall

I use one of two tailors everytime I am in BKK.For mens shirts, trousers etc I use Pauls at Rivercity [ 2nd floor ]. Easy for you as a Penisula boat will take you there anytime and bring you home.One fitting will be enough and I have always found excellent cotton fabric in a good variety of colours.Be sure to tell Paul exactly what buttons you like and where,ditto for pockets and style of collar.
All my shirts are sent to my hotel by the requested time and I never need to go back again. Just picked up an order for 6 shirts which I ordered from Australia three weeks ago.
I also use Cotton House [ directions above ] and have picked up a dress and 3 shirts. I always bring in my own fabric here as I am often buying rolls of silk for business purposes.
Time never seems to be a problem though they are slightly more expensive even in the shirt area. Quality is excellent. Deborah sent you..... sounds like Bob and I have our favourites here.