Planning a trip to Thailand and unsure about tipping etiquette? While tipping isn’t a traditional part of Thai culture, it’s become more common and appreciated, especially in hospitality and service industries. Since local wages are often modest, tips can make a significant difference and are usually shared among staff. This updated guide covers when to tip, how much to give, and tips for respecting local customs, ensuring a smoother and more respectful travel experience.
Thailand Tipping Guide Etiquette
How Much To Tip In Thailand
The amount you tip in Thailand varies by situation, but a simple rule of thumb is to round up the bill. This valuable insight into Thailand tipping culture comes from locals, including hotel staff, self-employed professionals, and office workers. Our guide is continually updated with the latest information to provide accurate and relevant advice. For more travel tips and insights, explore my complete Thailand Travel Guide. Let’s Begin!
Thai Currency Exchange Rates
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Restaurant Tipping Guide for Thailand

Discover the rich flavors of Thailand’s culinary scene with our Thailand tipping guide for restaurants. As you indulge in mouthwatering Thai dishes and experience the renowned hospitality, showing appreciation through tipping is a meaningful gesture. A great rule of thumb is to round up the bill or leave a 10% tip to thank the hardworking staff who make your dining experience memorable.
Some upscale restaurants may include a service charge, so be sure to check your bill before adding a tip. Keep in mind that tips left on the table are typically shared among all workers. If you’d like to tip your server directly, hand them the tip in person for a more personal touch. Your thoughtful tipping not only acknowledges excellent service but also contributes to the warm and welcoming atmosphere Thailand is known for.
Tipping Etiquette for Complimentary Hotel Breakfast
Even if your hotel stay includes a complimentary breakfast, leaving a tip is still a thoughtful way to show appreciation. Many hotels in Thailand provide breakfast options ranging from buffets to preset menus featuring delicious Thai dishes and freshly cooked eggs. Hotel staff work diligently to keep the dining area clean, refresh hot plates, and ensure your meal is enjoyable. To thank them for their efforts, consider leaving a tip of 20-40 baht in designated box or on the table, depending on whether you’re dining alone or with a companion.
While Thailand tipping culture suggests the service is already included in your room rate, a small gesture of gratitude can enhance the positive dining experience and acknowledge the attentive service.
Housekeeping and Hotel Staff Tipping in Thaolamd
When it comes to hotel staff, consider tipping the bell person 20-30 baht for a small bag and 40-50 baht if they’ve assisted with a couple of heavy bags to your room. Show appreciation to pool or beach attendants with 20-40 baht if they’ve set you up with a lounge chair or provided towels. It’s important to note that the service charge is distributed among all workers, and extra wages from tips are significant for Thai staff. While tipping the front desk to upgrade the room hasn’t been attempted yet, it might be worth exploring after checking with others about their experiences.
Hotel Housekeeping Tipping Guide for Thailand

A clean and well-maintained hotel room is essential for a comfortable stay, and Thailand’s hotel staff work hard to ensure high standards. Even though I’m not particularly messy, I appreciate the efforts of housekeeping, such as making the bed, changing linens, emptying trash, and maintaining overall tidiness. To show gratitude for their work and respect their handling of personal belongings, I recommend leaving a tip of 50 baht, along with a few coins, on the bed each day. For shorter stays, leaving a tip on the final night is also a considerate option.
If the room requires extra attention after a rough night, or if the cleaning tasks are more intensive, increasing the tip to 100-200 baht is a thoughtful way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. This practice aligns with Thailand tipping culture while enhancing the positive experience of your stay.
Tipping At The Bar
Begin by checking if a 10% service charge is included in your bill. If you’re grabbing a drink to go from the bartender, consider rounding up the bill or leave a few coins if possible. When seated at the bar or a table with a waitress taking your order and serving you, tipping 10% of your bill is standard. Leaving 20-30 baht is common for a beer, and if you’ve spent a couple of hours at a table, tipping 50-100 baht is customary. For exceptional service, whether the bartender or server engages in conversation or participates in bar games, tipping accordingly for their kindness is a thoughtful gesture.
How Much to Tip for Thai Massages
Indulging in a Thai massage is an excellent way to unwind, improve blood circulation, and alleviate stress for an hour or two. Most establishments display prices on a board outside their shops, ranging from 200 baht to 300 baht plus for a 50-minute Thai massage and increasing for specialized techniques like herbal or body scrub massages. A customary practice is to tip 50-100 baht for a basic 50-90 minute massage. For 2 hour massages, tip at least 100 baht.
How Much To Tip In Thailand For Haircuts or Salons
When it comes to tipping in Thailand, women often leave a gratuity ranging from 50 to 100 baht, depending on the quality of the service received at salons or spas. For men, a tip of around 50 baht is customary after a haircut. However, it’s important to note that tipping isn’t universally expected, and many locals choose not to tip, reflecting the broader Thailand tipping culture. Nonetheless, leaving a small tip is always appreciated and can enhance the service experience.
Klook.comTipping Taxis and Tuk-Tuks in Thailand
Exploring bustling streets in a taxi or tuk-tuk is an adventure, and while tipping isn’t a widespread practice, expressing appreciation is always welcomed. Consider rounding up the fare to the nearest convenient amount or leaving a small token of gratitude for the driver’s service. Embrace the positive exchange as you acknowledge their efforts in making your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Simplify the tipping process by rounding up; for instance, if your fare was 57 baht, just round up and give the driver 60 baht.
How Much To Tip for Food Delivery Apps in Thailand
While tipping isn’t a widespread norm for food delivery from Grab, Panda, or Lineman Apps, locals generally don’t tip in these situations. However, in cases of rain or if the driver had to cover a significant distance, a thoughtful gesture is to tip an additional 20-50 baht. Recognizing the extra effort in adverse conditions can make a positive impact on the delivery experience.
Tipping Tour Guides

For various guided services such as taxi rides, boat excursions, city sightseeing, or jungle hikes, a recommended tip falls between 150-300 baht, depending on the duration and nature of the activity. Keep in mind that in many cases, there may be more than one guide involved, and the tip is typically divided among them. Adjusting the tip based on the service and the number of guides ensures a fair and appreciated acknowledgment of their efforts.
Generous Tipping for Exceptional Service in Thailand
Thailand’s renowned hospitality deserves recognition, and when you experience service that exceeds expectations, expressing appreciation with a generous tip becomes a heartfelt gesture. Whether it’s a rejuvenating spa treatment or a tour guide sharing insightful anecdotes, tipping more generously in these instances is genuinely appreciated. Embrace the positive impact of expressing gratitude, as your generous gesture has the power to brighten someone’s day and create lasting memories.
Final Thoughts on How Much To Tip in Thailand.
In Thailand tipping culture, offering a tip for a kind gesture aligns with the concept of good karma. With favorable conversion rates for American money, a few bucks can go a long way. Drawing from my experience in the hospitality industry, I understand the challenges faced by service staff. On my recent trip, I observed a hardworking young boy in a small restaurant and, speaking to him in Thai, handed over a 100 baht note in addition to what I left on the table. Tipping extra in certain situations can make a meaningful impact.
Is tipping in Thailand mandatory?
Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated as a gesture of gratitude for good service.
How much should I tip hotel staff?
Tipping hotel staff, such as bellboys or porters, around 20-50 baht per bag is customary. Leaving a small tip for housekeeping is also a thoughtful gesture.
Should I tip street vendors and hawkers?
Tipping street vendors and hawkers is not expected, as their prices typically include the cost of service. However, a small tip for exceptional service is appreciated.
Are there any situations where tipping is considered excessive?
While tipping is appreciated, over-tipping may be perceived as excessive. Be mindful of local customs and appropriate tipping norms in each scenario.