Western Style Bikini

[tfc]

My friend has just arrived in Chiang Mai and realized that she left her bikini back home. As she'll be here in CM for 6+ months and likes getting in the pool I took her by KSK (Central and Supersports) and of course Airport Plaza (Robinsons). We could only find the thai types of bikinis that look like kids bikinis would in the west but in adult sizes. She's just looking for your standard bikini that an Australian or North American would wear (nothing fancy like a Brazilian!).

I know my GF got western style ones in Bangkok easily and there was a lot of selection (at Siam Paragon) they had the whole Elle brand as well as a heap of other brands.

So if anyone here knows or has a wife or gf that might know could you pass on any info? I thought there might be specialist store here in CM somewhere, I know it's a long shot but thought it would save time over driving around.

I've already tried a quick google search but nothing seems to come up for CM.

[mamborobert]

Been to a lot of pools in CM and very very very rarely see a girl/lady in a bikini.

They do seem to be quite a bit more reserved than their cousins in the South.

Usually you will see one pieces (and sizeable ones with boylegs at that).

Apart from the modesty aspect locals in CM are certainly not searching for a better tan so its full coverage then in for a quick dip (with a hat sometimes) and then into the shade of umbrella/whatever.

Your friend MIGHT actually become very aware/self conscious if she is the only one in the pool with a two piece....at least at the pools I frequent and some Thais might tut tut.

Think you might be best having someone put a few pairs in the post .....if you do find a range here not sure it will be that impressive.

Edited October 8, 2012 by mamborobert

[arthurwait]

Is there any triumph stores up there ? They seem to have more western womens underwear and swimwear.

You might be best asking in the womens forum.

The Thai culture is shorts and t-shirts for modesty. More modern Thais with some cash will buy swim suits with short legs and arms. Even the most modern westernised Thai lady will wear a modest,( large by western standards) bikini and sarong so as you know already finding anything else outside of Bangkok and beach resorts aimed at tourists will be difiicult.

One last thought have you tried hotel shops ?

[scd]

PM sent.

[Rancid]

Ask the dancers in an agogo bar, they are getting them somewhere.

[Vale Tudo]

Ask the dancers in an agogo bar, they are getting them somewhere.

I believe Foxy Lady near to the night market could supply your friend with one,she may have to work the night shift first though!

[Mapguy]

Why is it that so many foreigners find it necessary to strip to practically nothing when they get off the plane ?? !! At the very least they are very often an aesthetic blot on the landscape! Never mind modesty! Or lack of cultural sensitivity. Fun to glimpse a trim bod at the pool or walking along the moat, but OMG look around!

Edited October 8, 2012 by Mapguy

[elektrified]

I think a lot of C.M. TV members don't know any girls from Bangkok or other parts of Thailand. Many of them wear Western-style bikinis when on vacation at the beaches. The swimming clothes that some Thai women in C.M. wear is indeed funny.

There was a shop that opened in Sansai selling bikinis a couple of months ago. It was around the corner from my house. I think it lasted all of about 40 days before closing.

[tinfoilhat]

Why is it that so many foreigners find it necessary to strip to practically nothing when they get off the plane ?? !! At the very least they are very often an aesthetic blot on the landscape! Never mind modesty! Or lack of cultural sensitivity. Fun to glimpse a trim bod at the pool or walking along the moat, but OMG look around!

Ah ha, ill be adding morally indignant to the thai visa brigades thread.

[uptoyoumyfriend]

you'll find them at the night bazaar for sure and also at the sports store or robinson in kad sun keaw i believe

my thai wife loves them when we go swimming after overcoming a bit of shyness

and realizing that t shirt and jeans are not really comfy ocean wear

[mamborobert]

you'll find them at the night bazaar for sure and also at the sports store or robinson in kad sun keaw i believe

my thai wife loves them when we go swimming after overcoming a bit of shyness

and realizing that t shirt and jeans are not really comfy ocean wear

Same situation here.

I had to show a 1920's black and white picture of my grand mother in a neck to knee and hat that wifey laughed at....until it was pointed out that wifeys costume was only marginally shorter (though her hat was bigger). Wifey;s CM costume is almost like a springer suit used in surfing (thick lycra, short sleeves with longish boy leg). Looks like sometihng an olympic sprinter uses.

Still no way she will wear a bikkini in CM....ever. Away is a totally different deal.

[Semper]

I took her by KSK (Central and Supersports) and of course Airport Plaza (Robinsons). We could only find the thai types of bikinis that look like kids bikinis

Sounds like a woman I would appreciate.

[TwoDogz]

I took her by KSK (Central and Supersports) and of course Airport Plaza (Robinsons). We could only find the thai types of bikinis that look like kids bikinis

Sounds like a woman I would appreciate.

lend her one of yours then

[mamborobert]

I took her by KSK (Central and Supersports) and of course Airport Plaza (Robinsons). We could only find the thai types of bikinis that look like kids bikinis

Sounds like a woman I would appreciate.

lend her one of yours then

Then he could'nt do "fly's eyes" and scare the kids.

[tfc]

Thanks for the posts and PM's. I had one suggestion for a place near Thanin market and another at the night bazaar so I'll take her to check out both. She's going to be swimming at a pool at an apartment that has mainly foreigners so I don't think she'll be too shy about it.

I was sure that KSK or Robinsons would have something since the stores in Bangkok do so I was surprised that they didn't but I guess it must reflect some differences in modesty here in CM. The type that she is looking for would just be considered "normal" in Australia and I can understand that over here there are differences in cultural modesty but she's not exactly going to be lying at the beach here in CM, just at the non public apartment pool so it shouldn't be a big problem I'd think.

I think it was more of a shock to her to see swim suit shorts for women and all the extra pieces of material to cover up the body in different places. As well as the very child like designs. It says it all that I initially thought we were in the kids section until I realized that the sizes were for adults.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!

[TwoDogz]

Thanks for the posts and PM's. I had one suggestion for a place near Thanin market and another at the night bazaar so I'll take her to check out both. She's going to be swimming at a pool at an apartment that has mainly foreigners so I don't think she'll be too shy about it.

I was sure that KSK or Robinsons would have something since the stores in Bangkok do so I was surprised that they didn't but I guess it must reflect some differences in modesty here in CM. The type that she is looking for would just be considered "normal" in Australia and I can understand that over here there are differences in cultural modesty but she's not exactly going to be lying at the beach here in CM, just at the non public apartment pool so it shouldn't be a big problem I'd think.

I think it was more of a shock to her to see swim suit shorts for women and all the extra pieces of material to cover up the body in different places. As well as the very child like designs. It says it all that I initially thought we were in the kids section until I realized that the sizes were for adults.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!

What time is Semper coming around?

[Mapguy]

Sorry, OP, I'm on a bit of a roll here!

I really don't know what is "normal" on Australian beaches, but from what little I have gathered, it might be --- for young fit women --- similar to what the Olympic beach volleyball players wear. (And it seems some of them are rebelling about that!) I suppose you have to shop around a lot for that in Chiang Mai. That wear strikes me as a sort of lycra chastity belt held on by super glue (on the volleyball court, anyway).

If you are on a Brazilian beach, hope your testosterone is under control because fashion can be rather jockstrap-popping! I have never seen that sort of thing here. But if you are talking about a girl friend with whom you are intimate, I think the suggestion above about go-go girl wear is conservative! Sorry, you won't find it in Robinson's or Central. They are family stores, although some of the smaller shops in shopping centers have things like "bottom boosters." I have heard that some aging girls even go in for botox in the butt, but that's another topic not suitable for CM TV!

If you ask one of those Chiang Mai go-go dancers, or go exploring among small shops, say, in Santitam, you might find some selections of nice crotchless or transparent bikinis or whatever turns you on. (Probably under-the counter wear, but ask! Of course, these frocks (?) don't make great condominium pool wear.

For those with boyfriends --- or with girlfriends (wives?) looking for thrills --- it would appear that sexy briefs for men are more readily available at family stores. Don't know about crotchless or transparent versions, however. Seem basic brief jockey shorts are apparently ok!

Ladyboy companions?? Someone else is going to have to advise! Must be a lot of fashion confusion!

[uptheos]

Why is it that so many foreigners find it necessary to strip to practically nothing when they get off the plane ??

Because coming from -10 degrees C to 32 Degrees C is quite a shock to the system.

Just a guess.

[Mapguy]

Why is it that so many foreigners find it necessary to strip to practically nothing when they get off the plane ??

Because coming from -10 degrees C to 32 Degrees C is quite a shock to the system.

Just a guess.

[cmbe]

Valentine shop, on Chang Phuak road. http://maps.google.co.th/maps?q=chiang+mai+map&hl=th&ie=UTF8&ll=18.798469,98.986259&spn=0.005413,0.006899&hnear=%E0%B8%88.%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88&gl=th&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=18.79838,98.986233&panoid=pzHZKfuEuA26hktZ3Coxrg&cbp=12,67.07,,1,0

Central / Robinson airport plaza (swimming suite department), I think they have Triumph brand there.

[Mousehound]

The best swimwear is Australian designed.

I have spent many happy years confirming this with hours of observation. Also I was senior buyer of a major chain store so had to watch the girls modeling the gear. Tough job but some one has to do it.

Try this link if nothing else comes up. They are in Oz but ship worldwide. Might be worth a shot.

http://www.ozresort.com.au/

[TwoDogz]

If all fails, go to the big 5 star resortd, they often have inhouse shops like this.

[tinfoilhat]

i pity the man who cant control himself on a beach without cracking a fat, i mean how hard can it be?

[Chicog]

I had to show a 1920's black and white picture of my grand mother in a neck to knee and hat that wifey laughed at....until it was pointed out that wifeys costume was only marginally shorter (though her hat was bigger). Wifey;s CM costume is almost like a springer suit used in surfing (thick lycra, short sleeves with longish boy leg). Looks like sometihng an olympic sprinter uses.

Still no way she will wear a bikkini in CM....ever. Away is a totally different deal.

Well she's significantly reducing her risk of skin cancer, so maybe she's smarter than you think.

[mamborobert]

I had to show a 1920's black and white picture of my grand mother in a neck to knee and hat that wifey laughed at....until it was pointed out that wifeys costume was only marginally shorter (though her hat was bigger). Wifey;s CM costume is almost like a springer suit used in surfing (thick lycra, short sleeves with longish boy leg). Looks like sometihng an olympic sprinter uses.

Still no way she will wear a bikkini in CM....ever. Away is a totally different deal.

Well she's significantly reducing her risk of skin cancer, so maybe she's smarter than you think.

True enough but she's more worried about getting "dark".

Not so much worried about skin cancer.

The salmonella and other bacteria in the food she leaves out and grazes on throughout the day, driving without a helmet because it inteferes with her hair, taking any number of non prescription medicines from the old girl at the San Pakoy for various ill defined ailments, or the ghosts in her dreams will get her first.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

go to ebay and do an advanced search for "bikini" located in Thailand.

When I just searched it returned 1500 items matched.

[Semper]

Thanks for the posts and PM's. I had one suggestion for a place near Thanin market and another at the night bazaar so I'll take her to check out both. She's going to be swimming at a pool at an apartment that has mainly foreigners so I don't think she'll be too shy about it.

I was sure that KSK or Robinsons would have something since the stores in Bangkok do so I was surprised that they didn't but I guess it must reflect some differences in modesty here in CM. The type that she is looking for would just be considered "normal" in Australia and I can understand that over here there are differences in cultural modesty but she's not exactly going to be lying at the beach here in CM, just at the non public apartment pool so it shouldn't be a big problem I'd think.

I think it was more of a shock to her to see swim suit shorts for women and all the extra pieces of material to cover up the body in different places. As well as the very child like designs. It says it all that I initially thought we were in the kids section until I realized that the sizes were for adults.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!

What time is Semper coming around?

I don't mingle with foreigners. But a couple of pics wouldn't hurt.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Semper

[momoha]

I found a place that sells real bikinis! They have many models... A lot have quite eccentric colors, but I managed to find a nice one. The only thing is that in Thailand it seems that you can’t try those kind of cloths, so you have to try the top on top of your cloths and you can’t try the bottom part. But anyway, they where costing around 350 baht.

It’s on the way to Warorot market, on Chang Moi. Small shop on the left, just before an ATM. I attached a map with the location.

I agree that I’d never wear a bikini in Chiang Mai, but for vacations in the islands in the south... Might be convenient

[Beetlejuice]

Standard female bathing suit that is acceptable in Chiang Mai:

[momoha]

Ahah! Well I hope that in Samui and Ko Tao there will be enough tourists to counteract that... Otherwise I’ll have to get a job in a gogo bar to get my money worth it.