Tipping in Thailand

In case you are traveling to Thailand and are wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping there compares with other countries you may have visited, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

In the case of Thailand and Bangkok in particular, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide indicates that US$1 per diner for the waiter is usually appropriate. At hotels, US$1 to US$2 per bag for the bell hop or porter is appropriate while no tip is necessary for the housekeeper or the concierge as service charges have already been included in the bill. Meanwhile, Taxi drivers will expect a tip of about US$1 while private drivers should be given roughly US$2 per hour. For tour guides, US$10 to US$20 per person per day should be given as they also need to tip the driver. In addition and if you decide to visit a spa for a massage, a three-dollar tip is usually appropriate for the masseur while the ubiquitous bathroom attendants generally expect about 20 baht or fifty US cents.

Finally, while US$ is accepted (remember though, in many parts of Asia it may be hard for locals to exchange small bills), apparently US$2 bills are considered lucky in both Thailand and Cambodia for their rarity and hence (according to the guide), will open doors and curry favor much faster than any other denomination.