In relation to the Tattoo Ink problem, a lot of places I have stayed in Thailand (Budget or 3/4/5 Star) have clear warnings in the rooms that if any ink is found on bed clothes, towels or furniture that the guest is liable for the cost of cleaning and/or replacement, which to me is fair enough.Roel wrote:100 Baht is too much charged for one glass: possibly
There are places where they implemented the broken glass scam: possibly
Aragon said:Western logic and business practice does not apply here. They argue that you caused material damage (even by accident) and you are liable for the damage.Things such as breakages should be factored into the cost of doing business, you surely can't expect to run a bar and not have breakages.
Sometimes staff is responsible for the damage so if they do not claim from the guest the owner might simply deduct from the salary.
I remember having dinner at one of the seafood restaurants on stilts in Hua Hin on invitation by Thais. One of the children dropped a glass whereupon the Thai called a waitress and asked her to clean it up, he then gave her 50 Baht and told her to put the glass on the bill.
Another example of cultural differences: if you go visit friends in their home and let's say you knock a glass off the table. I think most will agree that it would be polite to offer to clean it up yourself which will most likely be refused and also to pay for the damages. It would then not be uncommon (customary) for the host to kindly refuse to accept any money. I have seen exactly this happen in Thailand (the glass was on the floor of course). Firstly the culprit did not offer to clean the mess herself but immediately ordered the daughter of the host to do so. Secondly she offered (co-incidence) 100 Baht to the host for the glass which was without a blink instantly accepted. The persons involved were sisters and for both 100 Baht is a lot of money.Regular 'dirtying' is, but in cause of blood or even worse henna tattoo ink the towel cannot be cleaned. So the guests pays for replacement and the hotel should give the dirty towel wrapped to the guest thus ensuring it was not a 'scam'.Korkenzieher wrote: 'Dirtying' of towels was specifically quoted, which in my world is a normal cost of running a hotel.
We normally stay in Serviced Furnished Apartments when we go away in Australia and spilling wine on the carpets and/or furniture/breakages (including glasses, plates, dishes etc) are all chargeable to the customer even if it is deemed an accident. So it is not only in Thailand it happens is some form or other.
I have never been charged for breaking a glass in a pub or when eating out. But have heard of here in Australia that some bars do charge staff for the glasses they break when they are working.