When tourists arrive in Thailand and see how cheap the food is, they often feel compelled to tip well, knowing that many servers earn as little as $10 (363 THB) per day. However, this is far from standard practice among locals, and on the whole, it may do more harm than good. Frankly, it’s always difficult to figure out what you’re supposed to tip for and how much when you’re in a foreign country. This may be especially difficult for Americans and other Westerners who are used to leaving hefty tips. In this article, we’ll cover what you should tip for and what you shouldn’t, general tipping culture, and more.
Are You Supposed to Tip in Thailand?
No, tipping is not a standard practice in Thailand. In the West, tipping often feels like a moral obligation. In Thailand, it’s more of an afterthought. If you’re eating at a restaurant and there is some spare change, Thais might leave it for the waiter, but they certainly don’t calculate the appropriate percentage as many Americans do. In fact, tipping isn’t encouraged at all, and most Thais don’t expect it.
Exceptions to the No-Tipping Rule
There are a few exceptions where tipping is more common in Thailand, though you are by no means obligated to do so.
Massage Services
After a relaxing Thai massage, leaving a small tip is common, especially since it’s very personal. Many people tip 50 to 100 baht per hour of service. Don’t stress about this too much, though.
Expensive Restaurants
In upscale restaurants, especially those that cater to tourists, a tip might be expected. Many of these places will have a service charge on the bill already, but if they don’t, tipping 10% is reasonable. You don’t have to go overboard.
Porter/Bellhop
You may want to tip 20 baht to a porter if they have to carry heavy bags up the stairs. I’ve been living in Thailand for a few years and have never tipped a porter, but still, some people like to do it.
Private Tour Guides
If you get a private tour guide, they are probably tipped often, as they deal mostly with foreigners. How much you tip is up to you, but they will probably be expecting something.
Misguided Advice about Tipping in Thailand
Unfortunately, the internet is full of well-meaning but misguided advice on tipping in Thailand. I’ve read some guides that suggest that you tip everyone from receptionists to street vendors, which is patently false.
One common area of confusion is tipping delivery drivers. Services like FoodPanda now include tipping options, which can be confusing. While these options exist, tipping delivery workers is not the norm in Thailand, especially when there is a delivery fee. (Feel free to save your money.)
When Tipping Can Be Detrimental
The topic of tipping in Thailand can cause some fierce debates online. Some people think that tipping a little extra is easy for tourists (costs them almost nothing) and a big help for locals. This kind of tipping may cause further problems, though.
For example, when tourists tip too much, service workers start focusing more on them and ignoring locals. Thais often complain about this, especially regarding taxis in busy tourist areas who don’t want to take them because they can get better fares from foreigners. Locals end up with poor service or feel pressured to tip more, which some might not be able to afford.
Similarly, when workers rely on tips, employers might decide to pay them less, especially if tips will make up the difference. This forces workers to depend on tips, as they do at restaurants in the US.
While tipping might seem like a kind gesture, the impact of many tourists doing it can harm the local economy.
The Bottom Line
Tipping in Thailand doesn’t have set rules as it seems to in the West. Technically, you don’t have to tip, ever. If you take one thing away from this article, just know that it’s “up to you,” and that you should never be pressured to give money when you don’t have to.
