The reputation of Thai massage has spread across the world as one of the leading types of sensual massages you can ever get. So, it is not surprising that lots of international visitors often look forward to enjoying some sessions of Thai massages whenever they are in Thailand. However, there is always a question about whether you should tip a massage therapist in this Southeast Asian country or not.
Without a doubt, tipping is highly recommended for anyone that wants to receive a Thai massage in Thailand. Although tipping is acceptable and sometimes expected after a Thai massage, you must understand that it is not compulsory. So, if you don’t give a tip after a Thai massage, you are not going to have any issue with your masseur or masseuse.
The amount to offer as a tip is another issue as there is no thumb rule for determining it. In many cases, you just have to use your discretion to decide how much you would like to tip your massage therapist. Anyways, this article will explain tipping for Thai massage.
Is tipping customary/traditional in Thailand?
In some countries, tipping is considered a traditional act. For instance, in the USA and the UK, tipping is usually expected after any service. However, in countries such as Japan, tipping is believed to be rude. But in Thailand, tipping is neither customary nor rude. In other words, tipping is not a traditional act in this Southeast Asian country, but people will appreciate it if you tip them for any service rendered.
According to Theculturetrip.com, tipping can be quite complicated in Thailand. This is because you may give too little, which may not be quite appreciated by the receiver. Similarly, tipping in some instances may be considered weird. However, when it comes to a Thai massage, you can tip the masseur or masseuse. You just need to know the right amount to give when tipping anyone.
Should you tip a massage therapist in Thailand? How much should you tip in Thailand?
Foremost, let’s answer the first question – should you tip a massage therapist in Thailand? Yes, you should tip a massage therapist after a Thai massage. This is the normal thing to do after the massage therapist has spent several minutes using their skills to manipulate different areas of your body. Regardless of where you are receiving a Thai massage in the Land of Smiles, you should not hesitate to tip the professional therapist helping you.
So, how much should you tip for a Thai massage in Thailand? This can be quite challenging to determine. According to Whototip.net, the exact amount of the tip depends on where you are getting the Thai massage. If you are getting a massage from a high-end spa in Thailand, you should consider giving a tip of around 10% of the total service charge. This is because the service charge will be likely high already; hence, it is only reasonable to give such a percentage as a tip.
However, if you are getting a Thai massage from a regular massage parlor in Thailand, you should consider giving about 50% of the total service charge as a tip. Otherwise, if the massage is less than one hour, a tip of at least 50 THB (less than 2 USD) is okay. If the massage is longer, you should think about increasing the tip as you deem fit.
Who should you give the tip to?
In some countries around the globe, a spa may require you to give a tip as a part of their overall charge. Unfortunately, in many cases, the masseur or masseuse may not get a good portion of the tip. So, if you want to give a tip for a Thai massage in Thailand, you should tip the massage therapist directly. Don’t give the tip to the massage parlor or spa.
Why should you tip your massage therapist in Thailand?
You may be wondering why it is recommended that you tip your massage therapist in Thailand. Some of the reasons for this recommendation include:
- To appreciate the effort of the massage therapist
Although Thai massage may look simple, it involves lots of skills from the giver. Therefore, you should note that the therapist will have to do a lot of jobs to unknot different muscles in your body with a Thai massage.
Given this, it is okay to appreciate the effort of your massage therapist by thinking of him or her. The tip can also serve as a form of encouragement for the masseur or masseuse to go the extra length to take care of the needs of their next client.
- To improve the income of the massage therapist
In Thailand, lots of massage therapists are underpaid. The earnings are too low when compared to the level of services they offer. While you are not expected to correct this wrongdoing, your small tip can go a long way in boosting their overall income. Although 100 THB (about 3 USD) may look small to you, it may be enough to make the day of some masseurs and masseuses in Thailand. Therefore, when possible, don’t hesitate to tip your massage therapist.
Where to find a Thai massage parlor or spa in Thailand?
Before receiving a Thai massage and tip the therapist, you need to first locate a massage parlor or spa in Thailand. So, how can you find one? As noted by Thethaiger.com, you can get a recommendation from the locals or hotel attendants. Even hotels have in-house spas for people that want to receive a massage and other related services.
Besides, you can easily find a massage parlor in the popular and busy streets in Thailand. For example, Patpong (Bangkok), Bangla Road (Phuket), and Walking Street (Pattaya) are famous areas with tons of massage parlors. However, you need to be careful to avoid falling into the hands of inexperienced masseurs or masseuses that just want to make quick cash from unsuspecting tourists.
Conclusion
It is recommended that you tip a massage therapist after a Thai massage. But the exact amount can be a bit tricky to determine. Regardless, you should utilize your judgment when confused about tipping a masseuse or masseur in Thailand.
