Cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Khao Lak, and Chiang Mai are well-known for their numerous custom tailors. The reason behind this is rooted in history, with the business initially starting through Indian-Thai entrepreneurs who designed suits for American Navy personnel visiting Thailand during the Vietnam War.
At that time, some Chinese-Thai and Indian-Thai individuals ventured into this business because Bangkok had a large wholesale fabric market near the Indian market and Chinatown. Many Indian-Thai tailors set up temporary tents near ship docking areas to make ready-to-wear suits for American sailors visiting Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and Khao Lak. These sailors, who were on holiday, often sought tailored suits to wear for social gatherings during their leave in Thailand.
Over time, some Indian-Thai tailors expanded their businesses to other cities in Thailand, such as Khao Lak, Phuket, and Koh Samui. During this period, Burma (now Myanmar) was going through difficulties after gaining independence from the British, which led many Burmese and Nepalese migrants to seek work in Thailand. Some of them found employment in Indian-Thai tailor shops. However, today, very few Indian-Thai tailor shops remain in Thailand. You can still find a handful of older Indian-Thai tailor shops in places like Phuket, Khao Lak, Pattaya, and Bangkok, but these are becoming increasingly rare as newer generations of tailors have taken over.
Presently, about 95% of tailor shops in Thailand are owned and run by Burmese-Nepalese tailors. While they may resemble individuals of Indian descent in appearance, they are, in fact, of Burmese or Nepalese heritage. Unfortunately, some of these tailors have contributed to a negative reputation for the industry by aggressively selling on the streets—approaching tourists, creating elaborate stories, and pressuring them into making purchases. Most of the tailor shops you encounter in Thailand are registered under Thai nationals, as foreign tailors are not legally allowed to own businesses in the country.
Despite the challenges, custom tailoring remains a thriving business in Thailand, and the legacy of this industry continues to influence the fashion scene, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Many visitors still flock to these cities for quality, affordable custom-made suits, shirts, and other clothing items crafted by skilled artisans.