Tipping
Thailand does not have a strict tipping culture like the USA, but tips are appreciated and expected in some situations:
Guidelines
- Restaurants (upscale): 10% of the bill if no service charge (++) is included. If 10% is already added (common in hotels and upscale restaurants): Leaving small change on the table is enough.
- Street Food / simple restaurants: No tip needed. Leaving change is nice but not expected.
- Hotel staff: Housekeeping 20–50 Baht/day (on the pillow), bellboys 20–50 Baht per piece.
- Taxi / Tuk-Tuk: Rounding up is sufficient (e.g., 87 Baht → 100 Baht). With Grab: no tip needed (but the app offers the option).
- Massage: 50–100 Baht after a Thai massage (at 200–300 Baht price). In the spa area, 10% of the bill.
- Guides / Drivers: Day guide 300–500 Baht, driver 200–300 Baht per day.
💡 Tipp
In Thailand, tipping is always done with bills — placing coins on the table is considered rude (coins are for beggars). Even 20 Baht (a bill) is more appropriate than 25 Baht in coins.