What is the tipping practice in Thailand ?

[observer90210]

To follow the general implicit practice, I tend to leave around 10% of the check in a restaurant in Thailand for the tip, provided the food and service was good naturally.

 

In a swanky place with snooty staff,  I may leave less ...... and in a more humble establishment, I may leave a bit more. ????

 

Also always leave a bill with the cleaning ladies in the hotel and make it a point to give a bit extra to the older, heavier and less attractive ones !!

 

Question - as not to be another farang fool throwing bills around, and not wanting to spoil unnecessarily,  what would be your idea of a decent tip by local standards in the main cities or beach towns in Thailand  :

 

in restaurants ?

hotel maids ?

for the cleaning maid comming at home ?

the handyman comming over for repairs ?

 

Thank you and have a great week end.

Edited August 19, 2023 by observer90210

[4MyEgo]

11 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

10%

 

[KhunLA]

I don't have a tipping practice here, as very rare to do.

[KannikaP]

Reading the headline I was ready to say 'Anywhere they can find space' ! But didn't!

[Stocky]

There isn't really a practice of tipping in Thailand.

 

Personally, in restaurant I just round up, though these days with QR code scan to pay I just pay the bill. However, if a waiter/waitress has been particularly attentive I'll probably put a 100 in hand as leaving. Hotels I just leave the shrapnel, handymen/maids are already being paid to do a job. Taxis just round up. 

[Captain Monday]

The tipping Farang remains in his comfort zone

 

Please leave Americanisms where they come from

[Brickleberry]

No idea.

Servers will always come to me for the money, but will always give the change back to my wife.

[JAFO]

Just a comment

 

Always check the receipt.  If there is a service charge applied, they already built in the tip.  Look closely.

 

If not, tips are at the customers discretion based on service, food quality provided etc. I never ever tip a flat % rate.  Never have.  Tips are "earned" in my opinion, not just a hand me out. 

 

 

[bkk6060]

I leave something always.  These people in these service jobs are mostly making $1 an hour.  I can well afford to give a little back and help them out.  Especially maids, cleaning up peoples messes I usually leave 100 b a day at a hotel.  

[KannikaP]

46 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

The tipping Farang remains in his comfort zone

 

Please leave Americanisms where they come from

Please delete the 'ism' from your post! 555

[scubascuba3]

Op are you American? Thailand isn't America, forget what you do back there, don't be preoccupied by tipping

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Captain Monday said:

The tipping Farang remains in his comfort zone

 

Please leave Americanisms where they come from

Actually, them Yanks picked tipping up from them Euro folks.

 

"But wealthy Americans, visiting Europe, brought the practice to the U.S. in the mid-1800s, unsurprisingly eager to mimic European customs. "

Yank origin of ...

[Lacessit]

Tipping is not expected in Thailand. I usually tip people who I know are not making much, such as cleaning staff and massage ladies.

[UWEB]

In general 10%

[Jingthing]

Round up or nothing for cheap meal.

20 baht per person for a modest meal.

30 to 50 baht per person for an expensive meal.

Forget percentages. You're not in Kansas anymore.

If service charge has been added, then it gets tricky as often the restaurant just takes that money.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Jingthing

[Sigmund]

On reading some comments, one gets a fine illustration on the word "stingy".

Tipping may be a yankee obligation, but in civilised Europe it is plainly a gesture of recognition to the good service - should it be after a mean of for a handyman.

Having worked as a waiter to pay for college years ago,  I have seen some unruly waiters/waiteresses litterally spit in the food or add a bit of "eau de toilette" directly from the loo, in the dishes of the regular known customers  who were either rude or never left a small tip. Since that day, I always tipp and do never manifest any arrogance with the staff.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

On reading some comments, one gets a fine illustration on the word "stingy".

Tipping may be a yankee obligation, but in civilised Europe it is plainly a gesture of recognition to the good service - should it be after a mean of for a handyman.

Having worked as a waiter to pay for college years ago,  I have seen some unruly waiters/waiteresses litterally spit in the food or add a bit of "eau de toilette" directly from the loo, in the dishes of the regular known customers  who were either rude or never left a small tip. Since that day, I always tipp and do never manifest any arrogance with the staff.

Different countries have radically different tipping cultures.

[Ralf001]

Already paid to do their job, why should I spunk more on top ?

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Already paid to do their job, why should I spunk more on top ?

Yep, boss needs to pay more if staff aren't paid enough, it's the bosses responsibility not customers

[mfd101]

My b/f gave me a lecture on the subject when we first moved here in south Surin in 2017. He said the locals can't afford to give tips and to do so ourselves would create expectations that others can't meet. So we just round up.

 

 

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Already paid to do their job, why should I spunk more on top ?

You definitely shouldn't spunk on the staff at least on the premises.

[Jingthing]

Just now, mfd101 said:

My b/f gave me a lecture on the subject when we first moved here in south Surin in 2017. He said the locals can't afford to give tips and to do so ourselves would create expectations that others can't meet. So we just round up.

 

 

Yeah I get that.

Living in tourism centers creates different expectations. 

[Ralf001]

Just now, Jingthing said:

You definitely shouldn't spunk on the staff at least on the premises.

Closed doors mate... toilet.

[Ohyesuare]

10% in a restaurant if I haven't already been charged a service charge. Bolt just give 100 for shortish trips. Massage 100 per hour. Maids 100 per day. Worked out for me for the past few years and most seem appreciative/happy with it.

[OneMoreFarang]

I think in Thailand it is really up to you.

Tip what YOU want to tip - depending on how good the service was and how much you can afford.

 

I don't think I ever saw in Thailand that the service people complained about no tip. 

[spidermike007]

Use your own judgment. For Panda, the drivers get 9 baht. Could you live on that? They use and maintain their own bikes. Is it fair to the drivers? Would your 20 baht tip make a difference to the driver? Would it adversely affect your life?

 

One can always find what they think might be a valid excuse for being unkind and cheap. I can't. Same applies to restaurants. Just because the locals don't. 

Edited August 19, 2023 by spidermike007

[StayinThailand2much]

Many locals don't tip, or slightly round up (e.g. bill is 590 baht, and they tip 10 baht).

I personally used to tip about 10 percent, but over time 'went native', i.e. usually now just round up as well. More for good service at the barber, restaurants, or a taxi driver helping with the luggage (which has become rare). No, or minimal tip for mediocre service.

Edited August 19, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Use your own judgment. For Panda, the drivers get 9 baht. Could you live on that? They use and maintain their own bikes. Is it fair to the drivers? Would your 20 baht tip make a difference to the driver? Would it adversely affect your life?

 

One can always find what they think might be a valid excuse for being unkind and cheap. I can't. Same applies to restaurants. Just because the locals don't. 

I think drivers deserve tips more than waiters, unless at fancy restaurants.

Never heard of a waiter killed bringing food to a table. 

[amexpat]

The reception desk at my dentist's clinic has a tip jar. Really. 

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Many locals don't tip, or slightly round up (e.g. bill is 590 baht, and they tip 10 baht).

I personally used to tip about 10 percent, but over time 'went native', i.e. usually now just round up as well. More for good service at the barber, restaurants, or a taxi driver helping with the luggage (which has become rare). No, or minimal tip for mediocre service.

One thing I can't shake.

Overtipping barbers especially if I'm using them regularly. 

It's definitely not the Thai custom but I just can't help it.