Tipping in Bangkok - Auberge Dab
 

I've just returned from Bangkok for two weeks, and would like to share this info with fellow Fodorites.

When my husband and I have dinner at Auberge Dab in Chitlom, it was one of the best meal in Bangkok. We ordered the appertizers, salad, soups, main course, and dessert for our dinner. Our final bill came out to 5395 Bahts which included 10% service charges. We thought the 10% service charges = gratuity / tips for our server, therefore we paid 5500 Bahts to the captain and tell him to keep the change. A while later, our server came over and gave us a dirty look, then we realize something goes wrong. My husband then ask a waitress if the 10% service charge same as tips and is it for our server. She explained to us that the 10% service charges is their salary, and is not for the server. She said if the service is good, they expect another 10 - 15% tips from the customer, and that will only go to the server, not the restaurant. Since my husband thinks our server did pretty good, we left him 800 bahts for tips.

the 800 was not necessary....i assume that this is in a hotel...it is usually only hotels that add the service charge, and service charge on to everything you get from them.....i always just leave 10-15% on top of the bill but not if there is 10% added...i would do just as you did....5500...

i will be interested to see what our resident thai experts have to say esp. james and tangata (sp)....

auberge dap...is that on pleonchit or sukhumvit and a very toney french place?? they might expect more but i feel you did adequate...

ok i just did the math and the bill was about $125...10% is $12.50 and you left another $3.....maybe you hsould have left another couple hundred B...

ok i just did the math and the bill was about $125...10% is $12.50 and you left another $3.....maybe you hsould have left another couple hundred B...in usa i would have left $25+ but in thailand this is never expected unless the waiter was fantastic...was this the case, or just ordinary??

Yes, it is the upscale French restaurant in Chitlom.

I made a typo, i mean we left 8000 bahts for the waiter, not 800. So, we left him about 15% of the total bill. I think it is pretty nice tips!!!

look again...8000 B is $190....may i serve you???

I dont know what planet i am on.... I do mean 800 bahts which equal to about US$20.50 for tips......