Those who've been to the US know tipping is commonplace, an expected practice, whereas in the UK it's entirely up to the individual.
When it comes to tipping in Thailand, it's not so straight-forward.
Now, even though I've been in Thailand a fair old while, and do enjoy studying Thai culture and tradition, whenever I do a post like this, I reach out to my Thai peers and ask for their opinions and experiences; simply because it's easy to misinterpret things as a foreigner.
My Thai friends span a cross-section of the provinces, from Central Bangkok to Surrathani in the South, Nan in the North and Kalasin in the North-East, so between us I like to think we've got it covered.
So let's get into this tipping thang. Starting with how the Thais do it.
How & When to Thais Tip?
Tipping in Thailand tends to follow an unwritten three-tier hierarchy, in that the further up the scale you go (the better the establishment) the more common tipping tends to be. And this makes sense, because those eating at more expensive places are obviously more likely to be able to afford to tip.
But as with all Thai social interactions, there's some unique ‘Thainess' thrown into the mix. So let's explore this three-tiered approach:
1. Street Stall Restaurants
Thais generally don't tip at street food stools. It's simply not the nature of such places. The bill isn't left on the table in a Mastercard branded wallet, as it would be at a mall restaurant; the deal is usually done verbally and any due change summoned from the cook's apron.
Of course, occasionally someone might tell the owner to keep the couple of leftover Baht, but with a mixture of clientele, ranging from the Burmese construction working right up to the Lambo-driving hi-so entrepreneur, it tends to be a sit-eat-go free for all that doesn't lend itself to the etiquette of tipping.
2. High-Street Eats
For high street restaurants, chains like Black Canyon and MK, for example, where average middle-earners might eat, a 10 or 20 Baht tip would be the norm, on say a 300-600 Baht meal.
But then not everyone would tip, and most wouldn't necessarily have the intent to do so. It would more so be a case of receiving the change from the waitress and deciding to just leave it, not least because it looks pretty stingy not too – and in Thailand we love to save a bit of face.
3. Posh Nosh Joints
Posh restaurants are a different kettle of fish. There's a point to prove here; “I'm rich enough to eat here, and of course rich enough to leave a tip”.
So in this instance, most hi-so Thais would tip, though not usually excessively. We're talking 100 Baht on a 4,000 Baht meal; though the big players with a big face to upkeep might go in bigger.
>> Read 10 Things You Didn't Know About Thai Culture
But Most Thais I Know Don't Tip!
I know, I know. It's not uncommon to see Thais scooping up every last Baht, as if giving that little offering might enable that waitress from Lampang to start a new business, conquer the Thai economy and rise to the top of the Forbes rich list – Buddha forbid!
But let's keep this balanced, because I know just as many foreigners who don't tip either. I must admit, I do feel a tad embarrassed when I see a fellow UK citizen snatch that 5 Baht from the tray.
It's easy to assume Thais don't tip based on having seen a few that don't, and while I would argue there isn't a tipping culture per se, people do tip, but it's more a culture of leaving a tip to keep face if you need to, which also reflects the notion that the posher the nosh, the more likely a Thai is to tip.
I don't think this approach is that different to London, to be fair.
What there has been historically, however, is a culture of “giving extra” in Thailand. For example, in a market-style setting, a vendor might choose to give extra fruit to a regular or particularly friendly customer, and conversely a customer might choose not to bater and knowingly pay a bit more because they like the interaction they've had with the vendor.
This is still very common. in fact, my fruit lady is forever trying to sneak more fruit in my bag, and I'm forever trying to get her to keep the change.
So, to Tip or Not to Tip?
So what does a foreigner do? Well, let's start by taking a look at the three general lines of thinking foreigners usually follow when they're in Thailand, and probably in many other countries too, and my own personal approach:
1. Why should I pay extra for someone to do their job.
2. I only pay a tip if I think the service was exceptional.
3. I always tip in restaurants and bars because the staff earn low wages on the basis that this will be compensated for by tips.
All of these approaches make a fair point, but personally I adopt the third. I have a good knowledge of what people are paid for different jobs in Thailand, and I know what a massive difference tips can make to restaurant workers.
I tip even when the service is bad. Why? Because in life I try to always consider what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. I doubt I'd be smiling if I was on my feet 10 hours a day serving meals and drinks in Black Canyon for 160 quid a month.
In fact, I wouldn't get out of bed for that a day, so why would I begrudge giving someone a bit extra to help them pay their rent, take the kids out, send a bit of money to their aging parents, buy some new shoes to replace the ones they've had for three years. You get the picture.
I don't consider myself rich, spiritually rich, perhaps, but not financially. But I can afford to tip, in Thailand anyway, so I do. I enjoy giving people a tip. I also enjoy helping others where I can in daily life. It's rewarding.
I always leave a tip for the maid when I checkout of a hotel too. The way I see it, if every guest leaves 100 Baht for the maid (that's less than 2 GBP, come on people!), and she collects from 5 guests checking out each day, she could make a solid 15k on top of her salary. This would put her salary at say 22k a month; which would mean she'd at least be able to say a little each month and treat the kids now and again.
But I also understand that some people can't afford to tip. So I understand that some people have to take the non-tip approach (2), and only tip in exceptional circumstances . Some people are living on a shoe string budget themselves, struggling to make ends meet, so tipping isn't always an option, even if they want to.
Those who take approach 1 also make a good point; because if we always tip the waiter regardless of the service, it creates a precedent and becomes an expectation. This will serve (pardon the pun) to keep wages low, as employers will stipulate in job descriptions that employees can expect “generous tips”.
In truth it isn't up to us to tip. It is up to employers to properly compensate their workers for the job they are doing, and up to the government that people vote in to set wages at a sustainable level for living a healthy, prosperous existence.
So it really comes down to your personal stance on the culture of tipping, and of course whether you can afford to so.
>> Your Next Read: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Thai Culture
But if I Do, How Much Should I Tip?
I've read a few threads on the web over the years where some foreigners curse others for tipping too much. They say it reinforces this whole “farangs are rich and have bottomless pockets” idea that many Thais have.
And there is some truth in this “farang ATM” theory.
Uneducated Thais, who haven't been outside of Asia, tend to have this idea that all whites from Europe and America are wealthy. This perhaps comes from watching American films and soap operas, and of course is compounded by those retired expats with big pensions who buy the proverbial “farang castle” in Nakhon nowhere for their Thai wife.
I mean, it makes sense, right? If foreigners are tipping 20% on top of every meal they eat at a street stall and a restaurant, and the average Thais tip nothing, the general perception is that foreigners have money to burn and can afford to do so.
This perception then turns into staff being judgmental of those foreigners who don't tip; “farang keenieow” (stingy foreigner) is the term.
But this is of course unfair, as the show string budget backpacker is less likely to be able to afford to tip on each meal than the stacked 60+ retiree who has a pension and a nice family inheritance to live off.
That said, most people can afford to at least leave a 10-20 Baht tip. So, if you're stuck for knowing what to tip,
Follow the Thai culture for tipping as set out above. Don't tip at street stalls unless you really want to show your appreciation, do leave a tip at high-street eats: I suggest say 10 Baht in every 100 Baht, so 40 Baht on a 400 Baht meal.
And, if you like a posh nosh, well, you've got the dosh to flash, so you might as well show some love to the staff, who, by the way, probably earn less than a glass of the fine wine you are drinking for a night's work!
Martin says
So, the usual Thai tipping ritual is: None to just leave the coins! Period!
What is missing on the article (please feel free to update it accordingly), is the more and more coming practice of adding a 10 % Service Charge on the bill.
In such cases, tipping should be (and IS! being) kept to a minimum.
But, straight from the heart: Usually Thai people don’t go to places where a “Service Charge” is charged – that is more for Falang people. :-)))
May 28, 2017 at 3:04 am
Pete says
When I first came to Asia, many years ago, I was given advice from a long time stayer…. haggle hard, tip good.
So, buying anything off the street for example, they say 500, you say 200. They say’ lets split the difference….350. (My target price is 240..always a little bit less than half…) I say 210. then they understand you are serious and not stupid. Never split the difference, (350) ..its always in their favour… but go up by 10/15 each time. Reach your target price, say 240 and call it a day. Don’t be shy about it..they want the sale more than you want the goods…. If you are not happy walk away. If you get your target price, which you should always fix in your mind before you start, then tip generously by overpaying a little… say give 260.
This way you win both ways… you are perceived as a good ‘haggler’ and also as a generous/fair person.
Hotels…. if you tip the guy who carries your bags from the car to the reception, you will alway get another guy who will bring the bags to the room. Better to tip the second guy with a better tip… often if you don’t tip at the reception it will be the same guy who takes the bags to the room…..
Restaurants…. Alway, Always check the bill….. I had an experience in HK where the bill was loaded. When I queried the items, the staff apologised… he had addred the table number to the bill total…..
If paying by credit card, always check the card slip to see if anything has been added for tips. Also, better not to add a tip to the credit card because if there is a later dispute about it, the ‘tip’ will get in the way of the ‘negotiations’. When paying by cash, even though there may be easier for a large note to be in the change, most staff wil invariably break it down to small change in order to enhance the chance of a tip…. for example offering 500 for a 395 meal will not get you a 100 and a 5 change, you will probably get a 50, 2 twenties a ten and a five.
Remember…. when the American were ‘negotiating’ with the Vietnamese to end their conflict, they spent four and a half month determinng the shape of the negotiating table…..
Happy negotiating….
Nov 06, 2016 at 10:08 am
CJ says
My first time in BKK, I stayed at an upscale American hotel. The Concierge took care of several things on my behalf, so I tipped him 1,000 Baht, which was in line with what I would have tipped a Concierge in the US for the same service. (~$30) His immediate reaction let me know I had over-tipped, but what do you do at that point, ask for it back? A friend staying at the same hotel later confirmed that I way over-tipped. For the rest of the stay, he couldn’t do enough. The next time I came back, he made sure I was in a great suite, there was fruit and sweets waiting in the room, advance reservations were made and tickets were pre-purchased for events. I gave another 1,000 Baht tip. On the next trip, I stayed at a different hotel, which is part of the same hotel family. He emailed me ahead of time and made arrangements at that hotel. Bottom line, for $30 a trip, I’m getting useful, great service. While it’s might be considered over-tipping in Thailand, it’s just $30.
Aug 29, 2016 at 6:08 am
Doug says
I ALWAYS follow the rule:
“When in Rome, do as the Roman do”.
Using your logic, should a Thai follow the Thai tipping standards when in New York ?
Oct 30, 2016 at 4:09 am
Dave17 says
I just tipped my chambermaid 500 tbh halfway through my ten day stay.im far from rich but she has done an excellent job,my room is pristine everyday.lets face it,in the grand scheme of things what’s a tenner.oh and by the way,it made me feel good too.
Jun 29, 2016 at 12:38 pm
TheThailandLife says
Awesome. I totally agree. Sometimes people forget just how little 5 or 10 quid is to us when back home, so why be stingy with people abroad when they have done a great job.
It’s like the maintenance guys in my building. No one ever tips them for fixing things inside the room, except me, because people say this is their job. But their salaries are so low! If we all gave them a few quid every time they did a job inside the room, it would double their wages and make life a lot better for their families.
Cheers!
Jun 29, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Ken says
I always tip in Thailand, sometimes even when I don’t need to. For example, on the rare occasions that I have to hire a taxi off the meter I will still tip the driver. The funny thing is I will haggle over the initial price until I get it down to what I know is the lowest he can possibly go, and I’ll even walk away when I don’t get what I want. But then at the end of the trip I will let him keep the change anyway and this often adds up to a pretty big tip. That might sound weird to some but the truth is I don’t actually care about the money, I just care about not being taken advantage of. And I have to admit I do enjoy the art of haggling.
While we are on the subject of tipping, I learned a long time ago that sometimes the Thai women we are dating are actually very concerned with how much we tip. For example, many years ago I was on a first date with this Bangkok office lady and her friend (they sometimes bring a friend along on the first date) and we caught a taxi to take us to the place we were going. When we arrived I handed the driver some money and got out of the car expecting him to just keep the change. But as me and the friend were walking up to the front door of the establishment my date came running up and handed me some money which she said was the change. At the time I just assumed that she didn’t believe in tipping so I just stuck it in my pocket rather than going all the way back to the car to give it back to the driver. Then years later, long after we had stopped dating, I was talking to her and I found out that she had always thought I was cheap because I did not tip the driver that time and it turned her off so much that there was almost not a second date. That’s Thai women for you though. They will let some little thing like this fester for years rather than just asking you about it right off the bat and thus clearing up the whole misunderstanding. Or in some cases they may never see you again based totally on a misunderstanding. Or if they are like my last Thai girlfriend they will often just suddenly get very moody for no apparent reason at all. I am REALLY not looking forward to dating Thai women again when I come back there.
Apr 03, 2016 at 1:33 pm
TheThailandLife says
Your approach mirrors mine in that I like to get a fair price; it is about the principal of not being ripped off, not the money. I’m happy to tip and do so in most circumstances.
Interesting story about your date. Sounds like it was a loaded test, so to speak. Did she really expect you to then turn around and run back to tip the driver? Or was it because you didn’t explicitly state that he could keep the money?
Apr 04, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Ken says
Yes, in truth I was equally responsible for the misunderstanding. First of all, back then I did not even know how to say “keep the change” in Thai so I would always either just say it in English or just get out and walk away. And when my date handed me the money I did not actually say that it was supposed to be a tip. I just gave her a confused look, which said “why on earth did you take the change”. So we both just made assumptions without ever really discussing it. This is probably because people on first dates are often afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. Communication is key though.
Apr 05, 2016 at 8:14 am
Mydee says
I usually won’t tip at establishments such as up market restaurants that charge Service fees. I thought that this was the tip. I usually at restaurants that don’t charge VAT and service fees. I also tip taxi drivers if they are OK as they get messed around by experts and it is a hard way to earn a living.
Oct 14, 2015 at 9:14 am
TheThailandLife says
The service fee is a tricky one. I know what you mean: if you tip it’s like you’re tipping twice, but then I sometimes wonder if the staff really do see the money later on. Also, the service charge takes away from the personalisation of tipping. Sometimes you have a great waiter/waitress and you want to tip them personally.
Oct 14, 2015 at 11:39 am