Tipping in restaurants in Thailand
 

I am arriving in Pattaya for a short vacation. Looking for advice about tipping in restaurants and bars. I think in small local Thai restaurants there is no expectation for tips, but what about the many fancier foreign restaurants that seems to be opening up in many places? What about bars - gay or straight? Appreciate the advice.

Where I get good service off a waiter I tend to tip them rather than include it with the bill which will probably end up in the owners pocket.

Thais traditionally never tip. But this practice became standard due to the practices of Western tourists. Hence, in places with Westerners huge tips are expected, but not in Thai or Asian places.

If 10% is added to the bill for service already, I usually don't tip unless they have been extraordinarily nice. In which case 40 or 60 baht extra is always appreciated in a medium restaurant.

If you are in restaurants where payment by credit card is the norm, any added service charge usually goes to the owner. When paying by CC I follow the lead of my thai friends who usually tip the waiter between 50 & 100bt in cash, regardless of the size of the bill. Its just a small appreciation for nice service that's appreciated. Wages in Thailand for servers are very low and tips have become very important to these young people.

In gay bars etc they make a point of giving your change in a folder which has to be handed back - and if its empty you are considered pretty mean. In host bars the boys have to live off their tips and % of drinks bought for them by customers. Again anything inside the folder probably goes to the boss, so if you would like to tip the guy who has served you, or spent some time talking with you, put his tip on top of the folder when you hand it back. 20bt would be a gesture, 40 bt = a bowl of noodles and anything more will get you a big smile and lots of "wai".

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It is far from universal that the owner pockets the service charge. Many waiters I've asked have said that it is divided among all staff according to seniority. In any case, I might leave some extra if service was exceptionally good.

Don't forget to put it in the server's hand instead of leaving it on the tray. Tips left on the tray are shared by all, those put in an individual's hand are kept by that person.

In any case, no one should feel stressed out about tipping in Thailand. Unlike in America, it really is "up to you", and no one will come after you with a machete if you don't leave 20%.