Planning your next trip to Thailand? Here’s a local’s take — from someone who’s lived and worked as a tailor in Thailand for over 50 years. This guide isn’t here to give you the usual tourist spots; you’ve got enough of those to find around the internet already. It’s also a bonus for travelers looking to update their wardrobe with a new suit, and how to fit a suit fitting into their schedule.
The Guide
Day 1 — Talat Noi & Song Wat (old riverside, not Chinatown proper)
- Morning: Wander Talat Noi’s alleyways — old Chinese shophouses, street art, the famous “Transformers” robot-shaped junkyard corner
- Coffee stop: Sunset Coffee Roaster or Leap Cafe — both restored old shophouses in the Charoenkrung/Talat Noi strip
- Afternoon: Continue into Song Wat it is right next to Talat Noi, riverside, warehouses converted into galleries and cafes, this helps you skip the main Chinatowns hustle and bustle and instead you get to experience the Hidden Germs around the Chinatown area.
- Dinner: Sam Lor, neo-Thai bistro reimagining street food, right by Talat Noi’s riverside lanes
Day 2 — Fitting + City
- Morning: First fitting appointment (fabric selection, measurements)
- Midday: Lunch nearby the shop. There are several options, including P.Kitchen, which serves traditional, local-tasting Thai food; El Gaucho, an Argentinian steakhouse; and even several Indian restaurants.
- Afternoon: There’s a shopping district a 5-minute walk from our tailor shop, where you’ll find food courts, high-end shopping, local brand stores, and plenty of restaurants and rooftop bars.
- Evening: After you’re done shopping, visit the several rooftop bars in the area, all within walking distance, like Cooling Tower, Brewski, Sky on 20, Escape, and more.
Day 3 — Second Fitting (If Required) + Night Out
- Morning: Second fitting, if your timeline needs one — otherwise, keep the morning free/light.
- Afternoon: Rest, or a light wander — nothing scheduled, so you’re fresh for the night.
- Evening — The Chinatown Bar Crawl:
- Ba Hao — a neo-Chinese cocktail bar spread across four floors including a cocktail bar and a small hotel, with a neon-lit sign glowing red like Shanghai’s old red-light district. Good warm-up stop, easy walk from Wat Mangkon MRT.
- Opium Bar — theatrical, opulent, one of Chinatown’s headline speakeasies — reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
- Tep Bar — billed as “Thailand’s only Cultural Bar,” built around ya dong (traditional Thai herbal spirit) and local ingredients, with live traditional Thai music and dance on certain nights, plus Thai tapas to share.
- Teens of Thailand — one of Bangkok’s original gin-focused bars, a tightly packed, grungy little spot on Soi Nana, known for kratom-infused and juniper-forward cocktails.
- Optional late-night add-on: Foojohn Jazz Club in nearby Talat Noi, if you want to end the night with live music instead of one more cocktail bar.
Day 4 — Day Trip or Deeper Dive
- Option A: Asiatique, a riverside destination in Bangkok, offers plenty of restaurants, rides, experiences, shopping, and even dinner cruises.
- Option B: Take a day trip to Ayutthaya to explore its temples, landmarks, and historic sites.
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional Thai massage, followed by a riverside dinner, or take a Chao Phraya dinner cruise, which you can find at Asiatique.
Day 5 — Pick up your order or have it delivered to your hotel.
Practical Tips
Book an appointment ahead of time so you can easily plan your itinerary. One fitting is definitely required, while a second fitting will only be needed if alterations are required. However, we recommend planning for two fittings just to be safe.
FAQ
Is 5 days enough in Bangkok?
Yes.
How long does a fitting take?
30-45 Minutes. Some even take less time.
Do I need multiple fittings?
One fitting is generally required; a second fitting is only required if alterations are made during the first fitting.
Are orders delivered or pick-ups only?
Both options are open. You can come pick it up from the shop yourself or we can have the order delivered to your hotel.