Is tipping expected, can you please tell me, when, where & how much.

Thank you,
Colleen

It doesn't seem to be expected, but the Thai's are so polite that they would not let it show. I think it is nice to reward good service with a modest tip and it's nice to know it is appreciated as even a small amount makes a difference .

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I love Thailand this much

I agree totally with Shanes comment.One thing i`ve noticed over the years in different restaurants is that if you require change after paying the bill they will bring you your change in smaller denominations.I suppose it`s just their way way of encouraging a tip without asking or expecting.

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Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Tipping in Thailand is generally not a local habit but Thais will sometimes leave a very small tip in a restaurant where they feel the service has been above the ordinary. Apart from that they do not tip even for taxis. For tourists it should be done with care and should be given only for good service or other good reasons. I would suggest the following as a guide.

Taxis - I still tip taxi-drivers because I think on the most part they do a wonderful job under very trying circumstances. From the Bangkok airport, if the driver has been helpful, courteous and driven at a reasonable speed a 50 baht tip is about right. In the city, if the fare for example is 90 baht, pay 100 (or about 10% of the fare).

Restaurants - Many eating establishments will add a service charge onto the bill and in these cases a small tip (20-50 baht) should be left only if the service has been exceptional. Where no service charge about 10% if the service is good. If great maybe a little more.

Hotel Porters - Around 20-30 baht per suitcase.

Hotel Maids - If the service is good then a 20-40 baht tip given each day is about right.

Guide or driver - 10%

Tip up, meaning tip up to the next denomination paper bill. Don't fall for all the change left on the tray in some establishments, tip up to the next paper bill amount. If it is a bt190 tab, leave a bt10 tip. If it is a bt250 tab, leave a bt10 tip, the next paper money size. I have been chastized many times from my Thai friends for tipping to much, a bt250 check rounding up to bt300. From their perspective, it is a loss of face to over tip, and that was a case of overtipping. If you want to slurge, do it with the taxi drivers, their meter rate hasn't been increased in over 7 years to cover their increase in costs. They do deserve tips generously if they treat you right.

Thank you very much, great answers. We always tip unless the service is lousy but it's nice to know what is the norm when going somewhere that you are not familiar with.

Colleen

jamie was quite right about the change bit. We were getting in the habit of leaving a tip for each drink and it gets silly

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Tips - To Insure Prompt Service. Dependingly, i think of it this way. If i'm going to be back there, i'll tip them, hoping the next time they'll give me even better service then before.

People expect a tip nowadays in Thailand its all hands out, but 10 % is so small its nearly mean not to.

Not one restaurant we asked actually passes any of the "service charge" to the staff.
It's simply another surcharge.

So, if your intent is to reward good service, hand the tip directly to the staff.


As an American, I am used to tipping a minimum of 15%.
In Thailand, with my inlaws, I am scorned if I leave anything more than the few meager baht left over from the notes, no matter the percentage.

If you are dining in establishments catering to Westerners you may wish to tip accordingly.
Look around for cues.
If everyone is Thai, tips come few and far between.
If everyone is a foreigner, tips might be expected.

In almost all cases, if you return after leaving a good tip, you will be remembered!
At their hotel, after their first breakfast, my friends got "royal" treatment when entering the dining room.
It was so obvious it annoyed many of the other (European) guests.
Just one more reason everyone hates us Yanks!