Ten years ago one could get shirts and suits material on par with Hong Kong and excellent workmanship for a very good price.
These days the fabric quality is terrible (the cheapest) in the typical tailor shops and the manufacture is worse than mass production. There is good fabric to be found in Bangkok, but not from tailor shops. One has to go to a reputable fabric shop (there is one on the side Soi of the Emporium, forgot the name). They are not tailors, they only sell material, mainly for women clothing, but they do have top quality cotton for shirts (Egyptian for heavier shirts, Swiss voile for lightweight), and some wool selection for suits. Then, you have to find a real Indian tailor (usually an old man!), or a Thai seamstress who is skilled at men clothing (some of the young generation are very fashion aware and quality conscious). The total price will likely be at least double the tailor prices, but you do get top shelf clothing that will last.
If you do go to a tailor, DEMAND that they stitch shirt buttons by hand so you don't lose buttons every wash. Most are machine stitched these days.
Currently I get pants and jackets made while travelling in Spain or Italy for 300-800 Euro, top quality fabric, excellent workmanship. I am on a hunt for a good shirt maker in Bangkok.
