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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 1:56 am
  #11  
Michael
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Currently living in MAD
Programs: *G and whatever else I can match to....
Posts: 924
Originally Posted by jaymar01
1. Getting new business shirts tailored in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and
2. Seeing an optometrist, and updating my reading glasses.

Can either of these be done (inexpensively and well) in Phnom Penh? If so, I may change my plans.
Both can be done, more cheaply but probably not as well as in SIN or KUL.

Tailoring business shirts: there are plenty of tailors here in PNH. Some are OK - I've had suits made (the going rate seems to be around $150-180 including fabric) and they are fine if not fantastic; they're also cheaper than the equivalent would be in BKK and, I assume, SIN/KUL. However, there is also much more of a language barrier - some tailors do not speak much English - and the selection of available fabrics is generally not as good. The work also tends to take longer - they're not used to the tourist trade ("I'm here for 24 hours and want 5 shirts and 2 suits delivered to my hotel by 3 pm tomorrow..."). That said, I've always been wary of 24-hour suits.

Eyeglasses: there are a number of shops in PNH that will test your eyes and produce glasses at a cost lower than in the US or Europe. Again, quality varies; costs can be as low as $40 a pair, but those will be pretty basic frames that may not last. The more you pay, the better the quality. Again, I find the value for money to be OK but not the best in Asia (which, for glasses, is Beijing IMO). Eyeglasses will probably have a fast turnaround (1 day or so).

I hope this helps.

- Michael
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