Indeed it's customary to tip in Thailand

I would first of all like to say that the culture in Thailand is very high. Both in general and the culture of service. In the smallest shop you will be smiled at, you will be thanked for your purchase, you will be offered free napkins, straws for drinks, ice cream scoops, etc. So don’t assume that if you leave someone without teas in Thailand you will be repaid in some way.

Most of our citizens are quite vague about the answer to the question how much to leave a tip in Thailand. And now that you’re here – when would a small token of appreciation called a “tip” be appropriate? Consider your own sympathies, and you won’t go wrong.

Thai people treat tips calmly and with dignity, like a bonus for a job well done. It is clear that no fixed amount is out of the question. If you’d like to thank someone, aim for 10% of the main amount of the service or order, or simply refuse to give change. But do not think that the increased demonstrative generosity here will certainly be met with applause. In Thailand they respect money as an indicator of human labor, and it is not accepted to throw it away.

Now I want to answer the question, do people tip in Thailand? Yes, they do:

In a cab. The first reason to leave a tip in Thailand you will have when you get out of the cab. Especially if the driver calls the amount on the counter, and the ride was comfortable. If he with a sly smile announces you the figure with two zeros, and on the way the same monument flashed three times (just kidding, but with a grain of truth), you can rest easy: this guy took good care of himself.

In the hotel. Tips for the maid are left on the bed in the hotel. By the way, it’s not for nothing that there is a popular saying “everything that’s not in the maid’s safe is a tip”, so try to hide all valuables exactly there. It’s also good form to tip porters and other hotel staff for minor services.
In cafes. In cafes and restaurants, check the bill carefully, perhaps the service charge is already on it.

Guide. It is appropriate to tip your guide (work as a guide in Thailand), especially if he did his best, told you many interesting facts, and helped you solve some pressing issues (for example, transportation, rent or foreign exchange in Thailand).Massage women. A separate item is the professional services. You can see for yourself how difficult is the work of delicate masseuses, who can spend hours kneading the fattened bodies of overseas capitalists. And the girl herself often have to give her salon half the profits, and even more. This refers both to the traditional Thai massage, as well as to the intimate body massage…

Prostitutes. Thai prostitutes also, in my opinion, deserve a tip.

In general, let’s not forget that the purpose of all rules of etiquette is to help us express our respect for each other. Any Thai will be more pleasant to receive a friendly smile from you than a handful of change, but with an arrogant look.