Rajawongse Clothier is a three-generation family tailor on Sukhumvit Road, next to the Landmark Hotel, that has dressed former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Custom suits start at 16,000 THB for 100% house wool, custom Egyptian cotton shirts at 2,000 THB, and you should plan 4 to 5 days in Bangkok.
This article is sponsored by Rajawongse Clothier. All prices are Rajawongse’s starting prices in Thai baht, as of November 2026.
Plenty of tailors in Bangkok will promise you a suit by tomorrow. This one has spent over 60 years dressing presidents, senators, ambassadors, generals and, yes, secret service agents, from a shop on Sukhumvit Road that has stood in the same spot since 1974.
We sat down (virtually) with the Rajawongse team to find out how a textile shop near a US Air Force base turned into the tailor of choice for Washington, what actually happens at a basted fitting, and how to plan your trip around it. Fair warning: once you’ve worn a hand-canvassed suit, off-the-rack will never feel quite the same.
At a Glance
How did Rajawongse Clothier start?
Rajawongse’s roots trace back to 1961, when Jesse’s father, Iqbal Singh, moved from near the Indian-Pakistan border to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, opening a textile shop near a U.S. Air Force base. He transitioned into custom tailoring to supply military personnel during the Vietnam War.
As the war wound down in 1974, a U.S. Defense attaché suggested he relocate to Bangkok. He established the shop on Sukhumvit Road next to the Landmark Hotel, where it remains today. Back then, it was a short hop from the US Embassy on Wireless Road, which goes a long way towards explaining the diplomats who started climbing the stairs.
The Rajawongse family has been tailoring for over 60 years across three generations, run today by father-and-son duo Jesse (2nd generation) and Victor (3rd generation).
Who has had clothes made at Rajawongse?
The client list reads like a Washington guest list. Rajawongse has tailored for former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, Senator John Kerry, and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. International dignitaries include Singaporean Minister Dr. Maliki Osman, Denmark’s Police Commissioner, and professional golfer Vijay Singh, alongside numerous ambassadors, generals, and secret service agents.
Our favourite story, though, is a dress. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan had a custom dress created to match a curtain backdrop for a television broadcast. Now that’s attention to detail.
The press has noticed too. The Associated Press once described the shop as a regular stop for visiting statesmen, generals and even spies, and Rajawongse has since been featured by Condé Nast Traveler, the Los Angeles Times, CNN Travel (2024) and Robb Report (2026).
What sets Rajawongse apart from other Bangkok tailors?
Rajawongse uses 100% wool and natural fabrics instead of polyester blends, hand-canvasses every suit, includes a traditional basted fitting, and finishes garments with high-end sartorial details.
Turnaround is 4–5 days, with Jesse and Victor personally supervising fittings.
- 100% wool and natural fabrics: unlike many local tailors using synthetic polyester blends, Rajawongse uses 100% full house wool and premium European branded fabrics (such as VBC, Holland & Sherry, and Drago).
- True bespoke and basted fittings: every suit is hand-canvassed and includes a traditional basted fitting.
- Sartorial details: garments feature high-end details like Barchetta curved chest pockets, Milanese buttonholes, full pick stitching, surgeon cuffs, and hand-shanked horn buttons.
- Turnaround and service: they deliver hand-canvassed tailoring in just 4–5 days, with Jesse and Victor personally supervising fittings and treating every client like a V.I.P.
What is a basted fitting?
It’s the moment you know you’re at a proper tailor. You try on a skeleton jacket held by temporary white stitches, and the tailor adjusts it with pins and chalk. It looks a little unfinished, and that’s the point: the jacket is still being shaped around you, not around a standard size.
How much does a suit cost at Rajawongse Clothier?
Custom suits start at 16,000 THB for 100% house wool, with premium branded options (VBC, Holland & Sherry, Drago) starting from 18,000 THB. Custom Egyptian cotton shirts start at 2,000 THB.
The most popular orders are versatile business suits (mostly in blue, navy, charcoal, or grey palettes), custom dress shirts, and tuxedos or formal wear.
| Garment | Price from (THB) | Fittings | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom suit, 100% house wool | 16,000 | 2–3, including the basted fitting | Hand-canvassed |
| Custom suit, premium branded fabric | 18,000 | 2–3, including the basted fitting | VBC, Holland & Sherry, Drago |
| Custom Egyptian cotton shirt | 2,000 | 1 | Fine Egyptian cotton for crisp dress shirts |
How many days do you need for a suit in Bangkok?
You should plan for 4 to 5 days in Bangkok for the complete process: consultation and measurement on day 1, fittings on days 2–3, and collection on day 4 or 5. Shirts typically require 1 fitting, while suits require 2 to 3 separate fittings, including the basted jacket fitting.
- Consultation and measurement (day 1): select fabrics, inner lining, and buttons, followed by detailed hand measurements and posture photos taken from multiple angles.
- Fittings (days 2–3): shirts typically require 1 fitting, while suits require 2 to 3 separate fittings, including the basted jacket fitting.
- Collection (day 4 or 5): final fitting check and pickup at the Sukhumvit shop, or worldwide tracked shipping if needed.
Insider tip: the shop opens Monday to Saturday, so start your measurements early in the week to keep collection inside your trip. Rajawongse also keeps your measurements on file, so your next suit can be ordered online without flying back (though we won’t judge if you use it as an excuse).
Which fabrics does Rajawongse use?
The shop stocks 100% house wools, premium European imports (VBC, Holland & Sherry, Drago), fine cashmere, fine Egyptian cotton for shirts, and 100% Thai silk for accessories.
Victor’s pick: he frequently recommends a navy nailhead house wool for its light texture and subtle visual depth in business suits, alongside fine Egyptian cotton for crisp dress shirts.
Jesse and Victor’s tips for your first suit in Bangkok
Allow at least 4–5 days, choose 100% wool and fine cotton over polyester blends, and stick to a classic navy or charcoal cut, adding personality with a fun lining or custom buttons. Here’s their advice in full:
- Plan enough time: allow at least 4–5 days so the tailors have time for 2–3 suit fittings to adjust for your body posture and shoulders.
- Prioritise natural fabrics: choose 100% wool and fine cotton rather than polyester blends for breathability and durability.
- Combine style with personality: stick to a classic navy or charcoal cut for work versatility, paired with a fun lining or custom buttons for character.
“Dress like a winner and you’ll be treated like one.”
Jesse & Victor, Rajawongse Clothier
Where is Rajawongse Clothier?
Rajawongse Clothier is at 130 Sukhumvit Road, next to the Landmark Hotel, near BTS Nana. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 11:00–19:00. Book by phone on +66 2 255 3714, by email at victor@dress-for-success.com, or via Facebook Messenger.
Look for a narrow shop up a flight of stairs off busy Sukhumvit Road, lined with bolts of wool, cashmere and cotton. Between fittings, you’re right in the middle of things: our Sukhumvit travel guide has plenty of ideas to fill the days.
Our verdict: is a suit from Rajawongse worth it?
If you want a hand-canvassed suit in real wool, made by a family that has been doing this for over 60 years, absolutely.
It’s a great fit for business travelers, grooms planning a wedding, and anyone ready for their first proper suit. Just give it the 4–5 days it deserves: this isn’t the place for a rush job.
Planning a suit in Bangkok?
Message Rajawongse Clothier with your travel dates before you fly, so your fittings fit your trip.
FAQs: Rajawongse Clothier
How much does a suit cost at Rajawongse Clothier?
Custom suits start at 16,000 THB for 100% house wool, with premium branded options (VBC, Holland & Sherry, Drago) starting from 18,000 THB. Custom Egyptian cotton shirts start at 2,000 THB.
How many days do I need for a suit at Rajawongse?
Visitors should plan for 4 to 5 days in Bangkok. Shirts typically require 1 fitting, while suits require 2 to 3 separate fittings, including the basted jacket fitting.
Which US presidents had suits made at Rajawongse?
Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
What is a basted fitting?
You try on a skeleton jacket held by temporary white stitches, which the tailor adjusts with pins and chalk.
Where is Rajawongse Clothier?
130 Sukhumvit Road, next to the Landmark Hotel, near BTS Nana. Open Monday to Saturday, 11:00–19:00.
Can Rajawongse ship my suit home?
Yes, they offer worldwide tracked shipping if you can’t collect at the Sukhumvit shop.
This article is sponsored by Rajawongse Clothier. All prices are Rajawongse’s starting prices in Thai baht, as of November 2026.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Tim Kroeger is a luxury wellness travel specialist, founder of Universal Traveller, and creator of The Restorative Index, a performance-based framework for evaluating wellness hotels. After 15+ years across 110+ countries, he shifted from destination-chasing to travel recovery. Based in Bangkok, he reviews luxury wellness hotels and spas on tim-kroeger.com through a performance lens, combining firsthand testing with expert insights.
