Indian tailors in Thailand?

[PattayaDaz]

You've all seen them, Indian tailors. They are everywhere in Phuket, Pattaya and BKK. But what do they do? Have you ever seen a customer? Have you ever bought a $50 suit? WHERE ARE ALL THE THAI TAILORS :?: Surely Thailand doesn't have to inport them from India. What is their real business? Any Ideas?......Must admit I'm tired of the "Hello my friend...suit for you Sir" :evil: everytime I walk down the street...

[khun_lung]

These are not "imported" tailors. Thailand has a substantial community of ethnic Indians that hold Thai citizenship. And tailoring is a niche market that many have gone into. There's nothing wrong with them. On the whole they do good work at reasonable prices though some can be difficult to bargain with. But isn't that always the case?

[Malky]

Khun Lung is correct, as a lot of the Indian tailors are born in Thailand. Many of them can speak fluent Thai.

The suit trade is aimed towards tourists, who want to take the suits back home with them as they are saving a lot of money buying them in Thailand.

The annoying thing with these tailors is that they don't seem to realize that there are farang in Thailand who actually live here. Why would I want to buy a suit when it's 40 C in Bangkok?

It has to be said, that these tailors are almost are irritable as tuk-tuk drivers.

[mr_satori]

apparently all the tailors in samui use just one factory so it doesnt matter which one you choose there all made at fin same place anyway (apparently)

[Laawman]

Agree with PattayaDaz, there are far too many tailors here now, and are especially obnoxious along Beach Road as they attempt to grab your arm as you walk past. :evil: Everyday for a year I walked to the same gym, and everyday these guys would ask me if I wanted a suit - they just didn't get it. They are as irritating as they are in Yahoo chat!

[BillyZ]

I was at TukCom in Pattaya the other day and if you ever park there, you'll see all of the Thai sewing shops there between the mall and the parking garage. They do all of the work and the Indian guys, with the occasional Thai guy, are the front men.

Not that that's a bad thing. They do a decent job and don't charge too much. The quality is up for debate. Some people LOVE their work while others would never put one of these suits on. I've had a few and I think the quality is good enough for most occasions.

One thing I did notice, though. Years ago, I wanted to have a cloth bag made, similar in size and shape to something you'd carry pool cue in.

Well, the guy was adamant that it could not be done. He said that the guys who do his sewing only know suits and dresses. If you ask them to do something different, other than the norm, forget it (which is a common Thai trait, no doubt).

So if you just want suits/dresses, then they are fine (and annoying).

[BillyZ]

Wonder if the indian tailor have same racial discussion about to many beer drinking farlangs. As a farlang here, don't complain about other ethnic groups here, which even hold thai citizenship. They probably adapt a lot better to Thai society then some Pattaya beer drinking farlangs just staying there on visa runs. Don't consider your self as a up class here, theer are space for most of us here.

Generally I have bought quite a lot of cloth by Thai/Sikh tailors, and for sure have been mostly happy about it

For sure the Indian tailors are talking about what rude, cheap, arrogant, poorly dressed wankers we are. And so are the tuk-tuk drivers. And so are many other people we pass each day. (And maybe even a few here on tf.com! :shock: )

As you said, there is room for many of us here. Unless you live in the south, then one can't be too ignorant of how easily someone can kill you just because they don't like you (or the suit you wear)...

[Malky]

Wonder if the indian tailor have same racial discussion about to many beer drinking farlangs.t

I'm sure they do. And I am pretty sure that the Thais and other farangs do also.

Don't consider your self as a up class here, theer are space for most of us here.

I don't think anybody whose commented in this thread regards themself of higher class to other ethnic groups in Thailand.

The posts are commenting on how we find these tailors irritable as opposed to looking down one's nose at them because of their race.

[zeusbheld]

viggop:BEER DRINKERS? all falangs are sex tourists, havent you figured that out yet?

as for what the tailors are doing, the falangs need suits so they can go to work and pay for their next holiday...

[Dave40]

The inflight magazine on thai airways(I was bored thats why I was reading it) had advertisements for indian taylors I didn't take much notice if there was any thai taylors.Then what would I know I am a beer drinking sex tourist.

[PattayaDaz]

Just so I wasn't misunderstood (seems that someone always has to shout racist! these days) The point I was trying to make was how can so many tailor shops make a living? Especially as I have never seen a customer in one. maybe in BKK they get a passing trade from short stay tourists. But here in "HIV on sea" they don't seem to be very busy nor very skilled. In some areas they almost outnumber the beer bars. And as mentioned can be a real nuisance when you walk by. As for them being ethnic Indians (Thai nationals)I'm not so sure. Maybe some, yes. But I find it hard to belive that they or their families have all been here for centuries. Especially as I have seen many a young man from South Asia (Be it Indian, Sikh or Pakistani) on the border run bus to Cambodia. You will find that many of them have a Thai GF/Wife and are doing the same as any other Farang who wishes to stay here. The latest idea (funny enough) is to open an Indian restaurant. As for what they really do..I have it on good advice that many are involved with money lending/loan sharking and gold and PC chip smuggling (to India). As for looking down on other races, I take everybody as they come. I myself have been a guest in Asia for more than 15 years. I speak Thai and Malay and have friends of many shades and sizes. Funny I even work in India sometimes too!

[CiaranM]

As for what they really do..I have it on good advice that many are involved with money lending/loan sharking and gold and PC chip smuggling (to India). As for looking down on other races, I take everybody as they come.

yeah and i have it on equally good advice that all the farangs in pattaya r into ppl smuggling, under age sex and drug smuggling.however, that's only the ones who stay sober, so that will rule most of them out. sure u couldn't generalise a bit more ??

and then he wonders why ppl query his motives for posting this topic. i would suggest that the majority of the indian tailors have as much right as us to be here (and possibly more in some cases) and if they r involved in illegal activity or flouting immigration laws then it is up to the thai authorities to take action. however, if they started a clamp down on all that, i just get the feeling it would affect a lot more farangs than indian tailors in pattaya !!!