Readers might be interested about "Mr.Bag-Fix" which is located opposite the Caltex petrol station, diagonally opposite the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. This shop offers to repair "suitcases, handbags, golf bags, wallets, sports bags, belts, leather jackets", and also cope with "zippers, linings, locks, handles etc etc". Repairs are done in BKK, and there is a minimum charge of 150 baht. The service takes one week. Tel.no. is 038-424-828.

For less specialized repairs, but excellent shoe repairs, there is a husband and wife team in Naklua; go to the sacred tree near the old market by the sea. There is a tiny one-way system with a 7-11 on the corner, and the shoe-repairers are in a little shop just behind that. They sit side by side stitching away at the front. Their workmanship is exceptional, and ever so cheap. I have used them for years. I think their English is probably minimal, but just point to your repair and the wife, who does most of the communication, will show you two polite fingers which will mean 'ready in two days'. Open on Sunday too.

Any chance of them opening up a branch in Chiang Mai?

There is indeed a branch in Chiang Mai, and there are two phone numbers;

053-279-875 and 086-312-5877

I forget to mention yesterday that they will do an estimate for you free of charge.