Tipping in Thailand and SE Asia in general

[JimmyJ]

From what (I think) I recall from some threads here, tipping generally is not expected in Thailand and it seemed what some people do is round up slightly and leave a few extra Baht (less than 10).

 

 

 

Is this correct?

 

What about Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia etc.?

Same?

 

(I tried a search and the first few articles it turned up were  on footies (AFL) ).

 

While I"m writing this I saw an Asian female tourist checking into my Bangkok hotel and give a tip to the doorman who brought her up in the elevator from ground to 2nd floor and I guess wheeled her luggage to the reception desk (and after she checked in post tip he wheeled it to her room).

[Spaniel]

I'd say you are pretty observant to pick all that up while composing your post!

 

Here in Thailand if the restaurant adds a service charge then I won't leave a tip other then the few odd coins in change.     

[LongTimeLurker]

In Viet Nam the locals don't tip, and the staff don't expect tips.

[Chassa]

5 hours ago, Spaniel said:

I'd say you are pretty observant to pick all that up while composing your post!

 

Here in Thailand if the restaurant adds a service charge then I won't leave a tip other then the few odd coins in change.     

Otherwise - UTY

[ikwiljou]

https://www.skyscanner.com.sg/news/5-tips-tipping-when-travelling-southeast-asia

[JimmyJ]

5 hours ago, Spaniel said:

 

 

Here in Thailand if the restaurant adds a service charge then I won't leave a tip other then the few odd coins in change.     

What if no service charge in a Thai restaurant?

Tip expected? 

What %?

 

Bahh humbug - thought I was escaping the tipping culture.

[Vacuum]

2 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

What if no service charge in a Thai restaurant?

Tip expected? 

What %?

 

Bahh humbug - thought I was escaping the tipping culture.

There is no tip expected in Thailand. Stupid tourists brought the idea to the Thais. It's not expected!

[The manic]

Tipping is always expected in Thailand.

[1FinickyOne]

14 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

What if no service charge in a Thai restaurant?

Tip expected? 

What %?

 

Bahh humbug - thought I was escaping the tipping culture.

Not sure about Bkk but out in the countryside - good service is given proudly and tips, where appropriate, are accepted happily... country restaurants are rarely expensive and most Thai will round-up and leave the coins... 

[quandow]

I've always heard tipping is NOT expected.  Having said that, any place I go to on a regular basis, I always leave a tip. They remember and service is noticeably better! Besides, as inexpensive as things are in the LOS, it shouldn't break the bank to spread a little love.

[alexlm]

I feel like tipping 20 bahts is great, even amazing, for most jobs.

Think about that: most Thais get 30 bahts per hour as a salary.

So when someone gives you 20 bahts, almost 1h, then yeah it would be fine.

Tip 10 or 20 bahts if the service is fine.

If it's mediocre or average = no tip.

That's how I see it and it's fair for both parties. 20 bahts isn't much for us, giving it release neurochemicals and makes us feel happy. Thai worker also gets happy because it wll pay half of the price for tonight's Wednesday evening playing cards.

[tryasimight]

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

[sanemax]

4 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

Stop showing off about your friends , most Thais do not earn 200 000 a month

[Antiparovian]

4 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

Gonna say the obvious. Soi 6 girls can get that much and still get loads of tips......

[Antiparovian]

5 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

Gonna say the obvious. Soi 6 girls can get that much and still get loads of tips......

[HerbalEd]

Giving a decent tip at places I frequent regularly almost always earns me smiles and elevated service during future visits. And in clubs/bars, I frequently tip the service girls and mama sans.

 

In my favorite club the service girls know exactly where I want to sit and they've often asked customers to move from 'my' seat so I can sit there. Once, upon seeing this, a guy asked "Who the hell are you," to which I answered "The big tipper." 555

[tryasimight]

2 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Stop showing off about your friends , most Thais do not earn 200 000 a month

Not showing off at all.  Merely pointing out some of the entrenched bar stool facts are fallacious. 

The pensioner and balloon chasing class seem to have trouble understanding that not all thais are extremely low income people. 

[smotherb]

15 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

Yeah, but I bet they are not wait staff.

[sanemax]

2 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Not showing off at all.  Merely pointing out some of the entrenched bar stool facts are fallacious. 

The pensioner and balloon chasing class seem to have trouble understanding that not all thais are extremely low income people. 

No one has suggested that ALL Thais earn 30 Baht an hour, but this thread is about tipping and places where some people leave tips  , like restaurants , the workers there do earn 30 Baht an hour .

  Your 200 000 a month friends will not require a 20 Baht tip

[sanemax]

2 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Not showing off at all.  Merely pointing out some of the entrenched bar stool facts are fallacious. 

The pensioner and balloon chasing class seem to have trouble understanding that not all thais are extremely low income people. 

No one has suggested that ALL Thais earn 30 Baht an hour, but this thread is about tipping and places where some people leave tips  , like restaurants , the workers there do earn 30 Baht an hour .

  Your 200 000 a month friends will not require a 20 Baht tip

[BMW Overlander]

The fact that OP asking such question shows how cheap people can be.

If you are happy with service what is wrong tipping whether they accept or not? it is common courtesy <deleted>.

[dotpoom]

I think many Thai ladies are not backward at coming forward and will straight out ask "No tip"?   if one is not forthcoming.

[chrisinth]

Little hint, if you are staying in hotels, find the fixers/bellboys and tip them when checking in, not when you leave!

 

That way, if you need anything you will be first in the queue as you have made your impression already.

 

i was told this many years ago and, although I don't normally use their services, it is always good to make friends with them. Good advice for everywhere in SEA.

[Vacuum]

53 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

In what way are your "better-type-of -Thais-with-200k/month" better than other Thais?

[Kohsamida]

1 hour ago, alexlm said:

...Tip 10 or 20 bahts if the service is fine....

That's what a Thai friend told me as well; 10-20 baht is fine in a typical Thai restaurant, and graciously accepted.  I guess maybe more if it's a real upscale Western style restaurant.

[HerbalEd]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

So, in your world wealty Thais are "a better type." This says a lot about you -- and it ain't "better."

[alexlm]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

Most Thais?  30 baht an hour?  Really? You need to meet a better type  of Thai people. I know many earning over 200,000 a month. 

The question is about tipping.

Why are you talking about your friends?

[geisha]

Most restaurant workers earn small wages, yes, I always leave a tip for good service. Also, when taking a car or taxi longer distances, I also leave a tip for safe driving, I also mention this to the company when reserving a car. I also leave a tip to the lady who runs my condo rental perfectly and gets my papers done ( immigration needs) in a jiffy. 

[CLW]

Giving a decent tip at places I frequent regularly almost always earns me smiles and elevated service during future visits. And in clubs/bars, I frequently tip the service girls and mama sans.
 
In my favorite club the service girls know exactly where I want to sit and they've often asked customers to move from 'my' seat so I can sit there. Once, upon seeing this, a guy asked "Who the hell are you," to which I answered "The big tipper." 555

Good example.
If you go to a club with table service and give the waiter / ress a good tip at the first order you'll experience good service for the rest of your evening.

[1dayumay]

2 hours ago, alexlm said:

I feel like tipping 20 bahts is great, even amazing, for most jobs.

Think about that: most Thais get 30 bahts per hour as a salary.

So when someone gives you 20 bahts, almost 1h, then yeah it would be fine.

Tip 10 or 20 bahts if the service is fine.

If it's mediocre or average = no tip.

That's how I see it and it's fair for both parties. 20 bahts isn't much for us, giving it release neurochemicals and makes us feel happy. Thai worker also gets happy because it wll pay half of the price for tonight's Wednesday evening playing cards.

Wrong! The minimum wage is 300++ per day/8h work.

 

do you really think the whole nation work in 7-11?