Tourism on the Rebound?

[PeteC]

Thanks for that SF as it reminded me of a reason why I started this thread. One thing that irks me to no end is the 10% mandatory service charge. I think in many countries something like that is actually illegal. I can just about remember when it started and I would say around the late 80's as there were some articles about it in the news and a load of complaints in letter sections like Bangkok Post Post Bag. No forums in those days, not internet in those days.

With me it's not so much the small restaurant but the big hotels who slap the 10% on to your room bill that is really offensive and not called for. The room rates are high enough and they are then saying, 'ok sucker pay for the room maid salary as well...'

Incorporate it into the rate or hide it some other way. Customers none the wiser and would feel much better, especially if the service was not good. In many places this 10% is not passed down to the staff but pocketed by the owners. This is first hand knowledge as I've talked to many employees over the years.

Bad habit, bad practice and does nothing to help Thailand with it's reputation. Pete

[Big Boy]

What happens if you're not satisfied with the service, can you refuse to pay? If you're partially satisfied, can you reduce the payment?

[PeteC]

What happens if you're not satisfied with the service, can you refuse to pay? If you're partially satisfied, can you reduce the payment?

I think that's one reason why the bigger establishments scan your credit card when you check in. . Yes, I assume you can complain and if prepared to use an hour arguing, you may get a 'so sorry' and a reduction after going throughthe management chain. When you sign the register at check in you're agreeing to the rate and their terms. I guess that is the time to complain but you may just be shown the door. Any gratuity should be optional, not 'in your face' mandatory, and any gratuity should go to the service staff, not made a profit center.

A restaurant is different and perhaps more dangerous. If it's their practice to charge it and you refuse, you may well be bounced out onto the street or worse. I actually don't know anyone who has fought the system so don't have first hand results of any refusal. Pete

[Big Boy]

I'll be honest, I always pay up. However, what I do object to to is when they look for a tip as well. It should be one or the other.

[PeteC]

I'll be honest, I always pay up. However, what I do object to to is when they look for a tip as well. It should be one or the other.

YEAH!, in those instances ask the waitress why she's asking for a tip. She'll say because none of the staff get any of the 10%, the boss keeps it. True or double dipping, don't know, but I've known many staff personally and two are part of an ex-Thai family and for sure they didn't get any of the 10%.

Concerning restaurants, they have to advise they charge it before the bill comes. I've always seen restaurants put the statement at the bottom of their menu pages (above prices do not include 10% service charge) If not on menu, or a sign, or somewhere, you'd have a good case to argue when the bill came. Pete

[tarakandi]

I went for a walk round Bintabaht on Sunday night, first time I had been in the area for at least a year. I started at the Hilton end and apart from the bar second one on the left all others were very quiet, but I suppose a Sunday night may not be a good night to judge.

The 1992 unrest had little or no impact on tourism in fact if anything HH benefitted, but now with the recent events having been so widely reported and the travelling public being spoilt for choice I think it will take a masterful piece of marketing to bring back the tourists in the numbers that we had become a custom too.

[PET]

This is early June and it is the 'Low Season' and in the past HH has not been busy at this time. However I do agree it is quieter than usual.

It is the 'High Season' that is important and that has been considerably down for the past two years.