However their fabric selection for casual pants is rather limited. So recently I visited the People’s Park in Chinatown where there is a large number of fabric shops on level 2. The selection is vast and for about SGD30, you can purchase more than enough fabric for a pair of pants. Back at Lai En, they had no issue using the fabric I brought along and for a further SGD40 I got a pair of custom made pants.

Fabric shops at People’s Park

Fabric shop at People’s Park

While certainly not the quickest (and cheapest?) way to get tailor-made pants, it was fun choosing the fabric myself. If you are of the opinion that Lai En in Hougang is a bit too far away from Chinatown (and I tend to agree), there are tailors at People’s Park as well (for example, Four Seas Men’s Wear, #02-1100).

The Thai community in Singapore isn’t huge, especially when compared to other South-East Asian nations like the Philippines. But their social focal point is definitely worth a visit. Located on Beach Road, the Golden Mile Complex is where you want to be heading. There isn’t much gold but the place has its charm in its own right. As soon as you enter, you no longer feel you’re in Singapore but more as if you’re somewhere in Bangkok. The complex has the atmosphere of a parking garage built in the 80s, but that’s what makes it special somehow.

Main hall

If you’re looking for a job requiring Thai language skills, this is the place to go.

Everything is Thai. You can get Thai newspapers, Thai massages, Thai food, Thai groceries and even Thai toothpaste. You can spend an entire afternoon/night there, starting out with grocery/clothes shopping, continuing with a meal of top notch Thai food and ending the night in one of the Thai discos or karaoke places (some of the cheapest beer towers in town!).

I can only recommend a trip to Golden Mile. Even if you’re just going for the food, you’ll have a good time. Try to find the DVD shop with two big TV screens outside and ask yourself why one is always showing Thai boxing and the other monkeys dressed up as humans. Or get caught in a spontaneous water fight. Or attend a live music show.

One of our favorite eateries, Lucky Thai Food

Papaya Salad

Always good for a surprise: children having a water fight as part of the celebrations for Songkran festival (Thai New Year)

After some research I stumbled upon Lai En Shirts Manufacturer. While their shop/factory is not that conveniently located in Hougang, the prices are competitive and the quality is good.

I’ve ordered a couple of pants and so far can recommend them without hesitation. Pants are around S$68 and the shirts as well.

Opening hours are Mon-Sat 9.30am-7.30pm.

Lai En Shirts
Block 2 Defu Lane 10
#02-533
Singapore 539183

Lai En Shirts