Hello And A Couple Of Questions.....

[Monkeybeag]

Hello all,

Will be visiting KS for the first time in January 2008 on our honeymoon, from Ireland.

Very much looking forward to it.

Would appreciate any help you can offer with a couple of questions...

Having read the 6 page argument about taxis, I'm still wondering about how best to transport ourselves around the island. I'm guessing most of our requirements may be from Chaweng to Choeng Mon at late evening. A few posts say pretty much what the Rough Guide says - don't take a taxi unless he'll use the meter. But others seem to say that they just won't use it anyway. So, is there a definitive way to use a taxi in KS? I want to enjoy myself, and also be respectful to local people. I don't want to get into arguments over a few Baht, neither do I want to be constantly ripped off. So...how best to proceed, please?

Tailoring - can anyone recommend a local tailor to make maybe a couple of suits & a cashmere overcoat for me, and someone who will make dresses/outfits for my wife? I've heard of places who will make ladies tailoring as copies of magazine photos, etc, but I don't have any names or addresses.

I'm sure I'll have lots more to ask, but would really appreciate any help with the above.

Thanks a lot

[CelineHagard]

If your in no rush a Songtaew (pickup truck with seats in the back) would do the job, the Taxis are chancin feckers,

you will probably endup having to use them at some stage. Dont worry about findin Tailors, they will find you! lots of them

around, was there 3 months and never met anyone that used one, so cant reccomend any, but if buisness is slow you should

be able to haggle a good deal.

[Monkeybeag]

Thanks Celine.

Chancin Feckers??!!

Are you Irish? (Galway here)

Thanks for the advice!

[pumpuiman]

On my last trip to Samui I asked a couple of the maids at the hotel if they knew anyone that could drive me around. Within minutes a woman showed up.

She gave me her number...and I just had to call and she was there very quickly.

Far cheaper than the rip-off taxi mafia....and I made some friends (she carted the kids along occasionally)

In my opinion....maids, bellhops, and lower echelon service people will always point you in the right direction.....Managers look for a cut.

Good luck and wishing you a long and happy marriage

[Monkeybeag]

Hey Pumuiman

Thanks for the advice. Probably very good advice too.

many thanks for the good wishes also!

[Mid]

for your purposes , pumpuiman has nailed it ,

[RakSamui]

If you are going from Chaweng to Choeng Mon late at night you will get ripped off, no ifs or buts . as previous post suggests get number of a local in Choeng Mon and call them when you are ready to go home.

a few tailors in Choeng Mon. just remeber these are not real tailors they take the measurements and send them off to be made in small factories in Chaweng. for the same money you get better quaulity in ASDA and Marks and Spencer.

most of the so called tailors are from Nepal and are a real pain in the arse.

[MengWan]

Hello all,

Will be visiting KS for the first time in January 2008 on our honeymoon, from Ireland.

Very much looking forward to it.

Would appreciate any help you can offer with a couple of questions...

Having read the 6 page argument about taxis, I'm still wondering about how best to transport ourselves around the island. I'm guessing most of our requirements may be from Chaweng to Choeng Mon at late evening. A few posts say pretty much what the Rough Guide says - don't take a taxi unless he'll use the meter. But others seem to say that they just won't use it anyway. So, is there a definitive way to use a taxi in KS? I want to enjoy myself, and also be respectful to local people. I don't want to get into arguments over a few Baht, neither do I want to be constantly ripped off. So...how best to proceed, please?

Tailoring - can anyone recommend a local tailor to make maybe a couple of suits & a cashmere overcoat for me, and someone who will make dresses/outfits for my wife? I've heard of places who will make ladies tailoring as copies of magazine photos, etc, but I don't have any names or addresses.

I'm sure I'll have lots more to ask, but would really appreciate any help with the above.

Thanks a lot

I have a (new) advice about taxis because of recent sightings.

If the taxi has no registration plates, then it probably has no insurance, then you would even not be able to report any detail to the police in case of scam or aggression !

I am spotting regularly yeloow/brown "Taxi-Meter"s (sic) without a registration plate on the fromt and on the rear !!!!

Anything is possible here, even to find a suit that suits ...

[Monkeybeag]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

I think I'll take up the suggestion of finding a friendly local.

Very interesting comment about the tailors - I've only seen positive comments before (other than the 2 suits for 99 euro type places) and I know I got some excellent tailoring done in Penang a couple of years ago.

It'd be great to see more comments on this, positive or otherwise.

Thanks again for the replies so far......

[Mark Wolfe]

Rent a car.

Tailors are ubiquitous.

[game4shame]

the Rough Guide says - don't take a taxi unless he'll use the meter.

yeah, in BKK. no chance of getting a driver to use the meter on samui.

alternatives:

rent a bike

motorbike taxi

songtaew

[Monkeybeag]

Rent a car.

Tailors are ubiquitous.

Brevity is the soul of wit

I'll pass on the rent a car idea, since most times I'll want a taxi, it'll be in the evening & I'll have had a few drinks. Wouldn't drink and drive at home, so won't be doing it on KS either.

Might be an option for a few day trips though.

Anyone know the collective noun for tailors?

[Mark Wolfe]

Anyone know the collective noun for tailors?

-- Gaggle --

[Monkeybeag]

Anyone know the collective noun for tailors?

-- Gaggle --

Ah.....like geese?

Much more interesting than the one I googled........a disguising of tailors.

[suegha]

Anyone know the collective noun for tailors?

-- Gaggle --

Ah.....like geese?

Much more interesting than the one I googled........a disguising of tailors.

That's actually very good though!

i agree with the comment of looking elsewhere for the clothes. Tailors are not the most reliable and will try to rip you off.

ps I'm from Ireland too. There are loads of us on the forum.

[Patsycat]

Suega lets us out of the cave occasionaly....

[Monkeybeag]

ps I'm from Ireland too. There are loads of us on the forum.

An Irish enclave in KS?

Grand! I should hear some familiar accents in Tropical Murphys, so.

[suegha]

ps I'm from Ireland too. There are loads of us on the forum.

An Irish enclave in KS?

Grand! I should hear some familiar accents in Tropical Murphys, so.

Listen Little Monkey, although I'm not there at the mo, I can guarantee you'll hear the Irish lilt everywhere you go.

ps I was refering to loads of us on THIS forum, ie Thai Visa. Even Patsycat has an Irish passport!

[Monkeybeag]

Listen Little Monkey, although I'm not there at the mo, I can guarantee you'll hear the Irish lilt everywhere you go.

jaysus, so I could've booked a fortnight in Dingle & saved meself 5 grand so!

Seriously, nice to hear there's a few Irish about the forum.

I'll probably try Tropical Murphys once for a look-see, but in general, Irish pubs are the last thing I want to see when I've travelled halfway round the world!

[suegha]

Listen Little Monkey, although I'm not there at the mo, I can guarantee you'll hear the Irish lilt everywhere you go.

jaysus, so I could've booked a fortnight in Dingle & saved meself 5 grand so!

Seriously, nice to hear there's a few Irish about the forum.

I'll probably try Tropical Murphys once for a look-see, but in general, Irish pubs are the last thing I want to see when I've travelled halfway round the world!

I know what you mean. I never check out 'Irish' pubs when I' abroad. Although I believe Tropical Murphys is a good one. Have fun!

ps I live in Aigburth just down the road from Dingle.

[Samuian]

.. for the same money you get better quaulity in ASDA and Marks and Spencer.

or if you got a couple of days in Bangkok - there are plenty of good shopping opportunities!

Armani to Fendi ALL there often at reduced prices!

Check out the The Emporium, Central Chidlom, Siam Paragon...

most of the so called tailors are from Nepal and are a real pain in the arse.

Yep, they are usually Bangla Deshi or of Pakistani Origin with NEPALI Passport!!!!!!!!!!

Never heard an "Nepali" speaking Urdu or Punjabi Dialekt!

[Monkeybeag]

Yeah, I've got 3 days in BKK before I come to KS.

Thought that wasn't enough time for reasonable tailoring & I'd get it done better in KS.

Had a couple of recommendations for tailors on the island, and was warned there are plenty dodgy ones too.

I was also told that designer (and copy designer) clothes, such as casual tops, would be cheaper in KS than BKK. Lower cost of living meant lower prices.

Suppose you alawys get conflicting reports, no matter where you're going. But as I'll be spending most of the time on KS I'd rather spend my money there, supporting local businesses - so long as I'm not getting ripped off or sold crap!

Thanks for all the advice so far, please feel free to keep it coming!

[Monkeybeag]

Deeptidal,

Thanks for the advice.

I'm very interested to know how to test for real cashmere - can you tell me?

Thank you also for the name of the tailor- I'll have a look at his shop when I get there.

I was also advised elsewhere that the tailor at Imperial Boat House was very good - does anyone have any knowledge of him>

Thanks again

[Samuian]

Look at the stuff they are displaying in the Shop window, that will tell you most - if you know what to look at...compare prices..

I still prefer to buy off the rack - you know what you get - you get what you paid for and hassle free.

NO 2nd or 3rd try on... all of it, hardly ever the seams are properly steam-ironed... Button holes, Zippers, how the general tailoring is done and with the 'genuine cashmere', I am keen to challenge that!

[stevewilliam]

Deeptidal,

Thanks for the advice.

I'm very interested to know how to test for real cashmere - can you tell me?

Thank you also for the name of the tailor- I'll have a look at his shop when I get there.

I was also advised elsewhere that the tailor at Imperial Boat House was very good - does anyone have any knowledge of him>

Thanks again

That would probably be Sherry's Fashions, and his clothes are very nice. I have had suits, shirts and jeans from him.

Presuming you meant actually on the beach. Between Island View and Honey Cottages. Make a right turn when facing the sea at Imperial Boat House. His name is Mr. Sherry.

[Monkeybeag]

Hi Steve

Thanks for that info- very useful.

I was told there was a tailor shop actually in the Boathouse hotel - a tailor who has a shop in Chaweng, I think, and his wife runs the shop in the hotel. Came highly recommended.

But I'll certainly check out the one you offered.

Suegha - that's a lovely part of the country you're in. Always enjoy myself when I'm down that way. Live on the Connemara side of Galway myself, down by the sea.

[suegha]

And little monkey lives in my favourite part of the country. That atlantic coast has many fond memories for me.

[Monkeybeag]

And little monkey lives in my favourite part of the country. That atlantic coast has many fond memories for me.

Yep, I consider myself very lucky to live here.

But before someone gives out to me for taking this off-topic.........tell me something about KS that I might not already know!