Should I tip in Thailand?

Thailand doesn’t have the same tipping culture you may find in other countries and there is no obligation to tip. However, it is your choice and a tip will be appreciated if you have received good service. Thoughtful gestures, such as rounding up a bill at a street stall or offering a tip to a tour guide, embody the spirit of Thai hospitality. Tipping is a simple and meaningful way to thank those who enhance your travel experience.

How much should I tip?

Further below we have listed what is an appropriate amount for different scenarios. Try to keep some 20 baht and 50 baht notes on hand for tipping. 

At venues such as restaurants, tips are usually pooled together and shared between staff members. If you want to ensure the person who served you gets the tip, you can place a note in their hand so they know it is for them to keep. 

Check your bill to see if a service charge is included or not. At more expensive restaurants and rooftop bars, a 10% service charge is often already included so there is no need for additional tipping unless the service is exceptional.

Restaurants

As mentioned above, some restaurants include a service charge and there is no need to tip in that instance. However, if no service charge is included, leaving 10–15% of the total bill is a generous tip.

At local eateries and street food stalls, tipping isn’t customary but you can round up a bill if you like. For example, if your meal and drink totals 90 baht you can hand over a 100 baht note and tell the vendor to keep the change. But don’t be surprised if the vendor still tries to give you the change!

Hotels

Hotel staff generally don’t rely on tips but will appreciate the gesture and the appreciation of their work.

For porters assisting you with your bags to your room, offering a 20–50 baht tip is reasonable. If you are staying at a hotel with a concierge who helps you with booking tours or reservations, a tip of 50–100 baht is polite.

When eating or drinking at your hotel restaurant or bar, check to see if a service charge is included or not. If it isn’t included, then 10% of the total bill is a reasonable tip. 

Although there is no obligation to tip housekeeping staff, this is something that can easily be done and will be appreciated. Before leaving your room for the day, leave a small tip of 20-40 baht on top of your pillow. This can be in notes, coins, or a combination of both. At the end of your stay, if you have any unwanted items (clothes, shoes etc.) these can also be left for housekeeping. Place them on your bed with a small note to say thank you.

Transport

For metered taxis, tipping isn’t mandatory on short trips but rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 baht is common practice. 

If you use tuk-tuks or motorbike taxis, the fare is usually agreed upon in advance and tipping is not required. In the case of tuk-tuks, they will almost certainly have added on a little ‘tourist tax’ when negotiating the fare with you and there is no need to feel guilty about not leaving a tip. 

For ridesharing services (e.g., Bolt, Grab etc.) tipping via the app or rounding up the fare if paying by cash is a thoughtful but optional gesture.

Guides 

Tour guides and private drivers in Thailand often work hard to provide exceptional service and it is common practice to tip. 

If you join a group tour, tipping 100 baht to the guide is a reasonable amount. For private tours where you have received excellent service, tipping around 300–500 baht is generous. The guide will usually share the tip with the driver, but you can also hand a separate tip directly to the driver if you want to.

If you have booked a trip with only a driver but no guide, a tip of 100–300 baht for a full-day service is fair.

Traditional massage and spas

Thailand is famous for its wellness treatments, and tipping reflects appreciation for skilled service. At luxury spas, a service charge may already be included. If not, a 10–15% tip is appropriate for exceptional service. Hand the tip directly to the person who has provided your treatment. If you opt for a simple one-hour foot massage at a street market, a 50-baht tip is reasonable.

Tipping in other situations

At barber shops or salons, a 20–50 baht tip for services like haircuts or manicures is thoughtful but not expected.

If you use a delivery service, a 20 baht cash tip for food or package deliveries is a kind gesture.

The majority of temples in Thailand are free to enter. At temples without entry fees, leaving 20 baht in the donation box shows appreciation and respect for the space. If you visit one of the bigger or better-known temples, there may be an entry fee for non-Thais. In this case, consider the entry fee as your merit-making donation.

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