Short answer: Appreciated, not expected. Tipping is not a traditional Thai custom, but in tourist areas it has become common and is appreciated. Many mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels already add a 10% service charge, so check the bill before tipping. Massage therapists and tour guides are the people who most count on tips.
Is service included?
Many hotels and higher-end restaurants include a service charge in the bill. If it is included, no extra tip is needed, though 3 to 5% more is a kind gesture for good service. Local restaurants and street stalls do not add one.
How much to tip in Thailand
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | Round up to 10% | Varies: round up at local places; about 10% where no service charge is added; little or nothing extra if one is. |
| Cafes and bars | Round up | Round up or leave the small change; not expected at street food stalls. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Round up | Not required; rounding up the fare or letting the driver keep the change is appreciated. |
| Hotel housekeeping | About US$1 a day, in baht | Optional and more common in larger hotels; leave it daily. |
| Hotel porters | US$1 to 2 per bag, in baht | Around the local equivalent of US$1 to 2 per bag. |
| Tour guides | US$10 to 20 per day, in baht | Around US$10 to 20 per day for a guide, half that for the driver, given in one sum to the guide at the end. |
| Hairdressers and spas | ฿30 to 300 for massage | Up to ฿30 for a quick street massage, ฿150 to 300 for an upmarket massage; about 10% at salons. |
| Food delivery | Optional | Small tip or round up if you like; no firm custom. |
Amounts are in the local currency (THB). They are common customs, not rules: tip more for great service and less where it was poor.
How to tip
Tip in cash, in baht. Leave small notes with the bill folder or hand them to the person who served you. Card terminals rarely have a tip option. Give massage tips directly to your therapist, and tour tips to the guide in one lump sum on the last day.
What to avoid
Do not tip in foreign coins or tip again on a bill that already has a 10% service charge unless you want to reward exceptional service.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to Thailand and the local currency: enter the bill, pick a percentage and split it between the table.
Tipping with no cash
When you have no local cash, ask whether a tip can go on the card. More and more guides, drivers and performers show a QR code instead: point your phone camera at it and you can tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay without installing anything.
Street performers
Tipping a busker is always optional. If you enjoy the show, a coin or a note in the case is the custom, and more performers now show a QR code so you can tip by card. Rules for buskers by city:
Sources
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in Thailand?
Appreciated, not expected. Tipping is not a traditional Thai custom, but in tourist areas it has become common and is appreciated. Many mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels already add a 10% service charge, so check the bill before tipping. Massage therapists and tour guides are the people who most count on tips.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in Thailand?
Round up to 10%. Varies: round up at local places; about 10% where no service charge is added; little or nothing extra if one is.
Is a service charge added to the bill in Thailand?
Many hotels and higher-end restaurants include a service charge in the bill. If it is included, no extra tip is needed, though 3 to 5% more is a kind gesture for good service. Local restaurants and street stalls do not add one.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Thailand?
Round up.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in Thailand?
About US$1 a day, in baht.
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