Tipping

[lippylou]

To avoid any issues can you give any advice on what custom is for tipping in Phuket. Obviously depends on service lvl but what is a general guideline for Taxi, Restaurant et all?

Cheers

 

[Jen Davies Farts A Lot!]

Up to you, but I don`t - The only exception for me would be a particulary good trad massage.
It`s not part of Thai culture - though obviously the more touristy the area is, the more the Thais are attuned to it.
Not leaving a tip won`t be made in to an issue - as it would be in the States - unless the establishment is heavily on the screw.

 

[starrcod]

I always leave 20 baht on the pillow every morning. This way the right maid always gets it and not the one who's working weekends only. Having said that, most of them work 7 days a week anyway.

 

[bonzii]

As I know ppl here is dependent on tip I always give in restaurants and bars, about 10% or 20 baht for smaller amounts.

Salaries in Thailand is low, the tip is how the staff survive.

 

[mebepat]

That's how I learned what "chai dee" means. I didn't think tipping was so relevant until I learned how little serving staff earn there.

 

[Balerie]

Never tip tuk tuk drivers in Phuket now because of the tuk tuk mafia, last time I dad to get a tuk tuk, because friends were physically exhausted it think it cost 150 baht to go to Deevana Spa from Jungceylon and they had the hide to ask for tip, i said, no you already include in fare.

Restaurants at least 20 baht up to 100 depending on service. Massage girls good girls 50 baht bad girls 200!!!

 

[Rachiebaby]

I nearly always tip (though rarely at home). As Nicke said, 20baht seems to be fine and it really is not a lot of money.

The way I look at it is this. 20baht is a tip, 50baht is a good tip and 100baht is a very good tip.

 

[Rli R]

i always tip 50 baht.regardless of how good or bad the service is or on what amount i spend .........50 baht is only 1 euro........and the waitresses will always remeber you..............ij

 

[Laurie C]

same here. will always leave a tip. if the waitress is good she will remember you, and if shes really good will remember your brand of beer as well!

 

[mshatswell]

I usully give 5 10 or 20 baht for a drink to just round it up or depends on the sevice, If I have more than one drink in the bar and the server is friendly and having a chat or if they have a game of something I'll buy them a drink too.

In restaurants or massageplanetes I'll round up a bit higher giving 50 - 100baht.

Massage girl usually gets 100Baht.

Maids usually 100Baht every couple of days.

Taxi's round up too to the next 20Baht if its a longer trip maybe more.

 

[Green Man]

It depends.. I remember a waitress who after 2 days knew where me and my mate used to like to sit what we drank and what we ate. She was a very nice sweet girl as well. At the end of the trip i gave her 100 baht and my mate gave her a little something also (don't know the amount) she was genuinly happy with that which was nice.... If i am not happy then maybe 20 baht. Tip what you want really when you want. It's your money and your holiday so do what makes you happy :happyi:

 

[Lottie]

Thats a great idea, never thought about that.

 

[Russian is Me]

i used to manage a bar in central london.food and accomadation was inclusive for live in staff. i had a couple of aussie girls who worked for me. they would earn enough money in tips for me to keep hold of their wages for 6 months. they then collected and went travelling for a year!
thats the way to do it!

 

[thebomb]

Me too. Not only does the right person get the tip, but over several days your room may get a little extra touch.

 

[RBS]

WE often round the bill up. If it's a place we eat at often because we like the food and the service, it's not unusual for us to tip up to 300 -500bht. Although it's not a cutom to tip in Australia, the wages of the staff are appropriate not like LOS.

 

[isnoop]

Cheers for that - how bout taxis or tuktuks?

 

[itscoredawg]

On my last trip I was out with a couple of mates and we racked up a a bar bill of nearly 5500 baht. Only two of the staff there were friendly and always looked after us as soon as our drinks were empty. When leaving the bar we split the bill 4 ways and rounded it up to 6000 odd baht. The remainder was for the two BG's, they told us they were not allowed to take tips from customers???? As it was near closing time I just waited untill they were finished then took the two of them out for a couple of drinks and gave them the tip they deserved... They were as happy as can be...:happyi: :happyi: :happyi:

 

[Reventon]

or maybe you get the "extra touch"? 5555!

 

[naveen a]

I would never tip a tuk tuk. Never.

Taxi Meter in Phuket - it costs about 420 airport/hotel, I usually give 450. If they don't have change or they have to stop at 7/11 or get gas or anything like that they get no tip.

Limo/Car to airport: generally I give no tip since at 550-600 baht I think everything is included.

Taxi Meter Bangkok - usually round up to the next 10 baht for trips in the city, (ie. 43 baht give 50) but to/from airport I give about 10%.

Cheers, Robaht

 

[Kenny (:]

i stopped for some food at one of those gas station road side eateries where they have 4 or 5 dishes already cooked and you pick what you want

when finished i went to give the lady 20baht and she really had no clue what i was doing

this was a thai area and she really had no clue about tips