25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

Search The Thailand Life...

Home Start Here Learn Thai Lifestyle Society Travel

Jobs Book Hotels

You are here: Home / Culture / The Truth About Tipping in Thailand –
Where, When & How Much
GET UPDATES
(it's free)
The Truth About Tipping in Receive My
Thailand – Where, When & Exclusive 'Thai

How Much Bites' Newsletter &

Insider Updates.

Your Email Address

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. SEND IT TO ME!

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 Reader Favourites
the South, Nan in the North and Kalasin in the

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 1/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

North-East, so between us I like to think we’ve got it 1) How to Send Money

covered. to Thailand & Avoid
Bank Fees
So let’s get into this tipping thang. Starting with how
the Thais do it. 2) Top 15 Thai Love
Phrases [Video]

3) Best VPN to Protect

Your Online Privacy in
Thailand

4) Thai Travel 101 [Do it

Safely]

5) Get Fluent in Thai in 3

Months!

6) Top 12 Jobs for

How & When to Thais Tip?
Thailand Expats
Tipping in Thailand tends to follow an unwritten
three-tier hierarchy, in that the further up the scale 7) Bangkok Girl
you go (the better the establishment) the more [Controversial Doc]
common tipping tends to be. And this makes sense,
because those eating at more expensive places are 8) How to Watch
obviously more likely to be able to afford to tip. Prem/CL Football in
Thailand - Free
But as with all Thai social interactions, there’s some
unique ‘Thainess’ thrown into the mix. So let’s 9) 10 Things You Should
explore this three-tiered approach: Know About Expat Life
Insurance
1. Street Stall Restaurants
10) REVEALED: The 6
Thais generally don’t tip at street food stools. It’s Best Thai Dating Sites
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
Join The Convo
done verbally and any due change summoned from
TheThailandLife on
the cook’s apron.
Getting Married in
https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 2/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

Of course, occasionally someone might tell the Thailand – DIY in One

owner to keep the couple of leftover Baht, but with Day!
a mixture of clientele, ranging from the Burmese
construction working right up to the Lambo-driving Marc deryckere on
hi-so entrepreneur, it tends to be a sit-eat-go free Getting Married in
for all that doesn’t lend itself to the etiquette of Thailand – DIY in One
tipping. Day!

2. High-Street Eats Long Term Thai Guy on

Sin Sod – What You
For high street restaurants, chains like Black Canyon Should Pay to Marry
and MK, for example, where average middle- Your Thai Girlfriend
earners might eat, a 10 or 20 Baht tip would be the
norm, on say a 300-600 Baht meal. TheThailandLife on
Getting Married in
But then not everyone would tip, and most wouldn’t Thailand – DIY in One
necessarily have the intent to do so. It would more Day!
so be a case of receiving the change from the
waitress and deciding to just leave it, not least TheThailandLife on The
because it looks pretty stingy not too – and in Big Thai Visa Post: Visa
Thailand we love to save a bit of face. Types, Requirements,
Restrictions & Benefits
3. Posh Nosh Joints

Posh restaurants are a different kettle of fish. Helpful Posts

There’s a point to prove here; “I’m rich enough to
> Cost of Living
eat here, and of course rich enough to leave a tip”.
> Travel Thailand 101
> Find a Job
So in this instance, most hi-so Thais would tip,
> Learn Basic Thai
though not usually excessively. We’re talking 100
> Get Travel Insurance
Baht on a 4,000 Baht meal; though the big players
> Get Health Insurance
with a big face to upkeep might go in bigger.
> Most Comfortable
Visa Run
>> Read 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Thai
> Get Your Partner a
Culture
Visa
> Get Married
But Most Thais I Know Don’t Tip!
> Open a Thai Bank
Account

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 3/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

I know, I know. It’s not uncommon to see Thais > Find a TEFL Course
scooping up every last Baht, as if giving that little > Get the Right Visa
offering might enable that waitress from Lampang
to start a new business, conquer the Thai economy
Find More To
and rise to the top of the Forbes rich list – Buddha
Read
forbid!

But let’s keep this balanced, because I know just as Search The Thailand Life...
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
https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 4/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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.

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 5/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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?

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 6/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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,
https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 7/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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!

Interview A Complete Exploring

with ‘A Geek Guide to the 14
In Thailand’: Thailand’s Traditional
The ‘Must Vegetarian Steps of a
Read’ Book Festival: Thai
by Jody What to Wedding
Houton Expect, Ceremony
Where to
Celebrate &
What to Eat

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

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

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 8/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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...

Read More >>

Reply 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...

Read More >>

Reply 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 ?

Reply 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
https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 9/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

what’s a tenner.oh and by the way,it made me feel

good too.

Reply 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!

Reply 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....

Read More >>

Reply Apr 03, 2016 at 1:33 pm

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 10/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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?

Reply 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...

Read More >>

Reply 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.

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 11/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

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.

Reply 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.

Reply Oct 14, 2015 at 11:39 am

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required

fields are marked *

Comment

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Name *

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 12/13
25.03.2017 Tipping In Thailand ­ Where, When and How Much?

Email *

Website

Post Comment

About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Site Terms & Disclaimer| Media Pack

Copyright © TheThailandLife.com 2017. All Rights Reserved.

No content on this site may be copied without written consent from
TheThailandLife.com

https://www.thethailandlife.com/tipping­in­thailand 13/13