I was wondering what it’s customary to tip for a non sexual massage. For example at Prime in BKK. I think they state the minimum tip is 100 Baht. But that seems low to me, especially considering the outstanding quality of massage I have had there. 

Would tip amount in Pattaya be similar to BKK?

For regular massage  I'd tip cost of massage if I ever had one in LOS.

 

Keep in mind if you consider service outstanding feel free top tip accordingly to what you consider fair notwithstanding what advises will be. Next time it may be even better

100 tip (for 1 hour) is a fair tip in the run-of-the-mill massage shops. It might seem low to the western visitor (especially Americans with a VERY different tip culture and different tip rationale), but in the context of wages here it is quite high. Having said that, I do vary my tip depending on the level/quality of service provided, as vinapu has suggested. At the low end, for a so-so or average massage I'll tip a "normal" tip, usually being something like that above-mentioned 100 per hour, so 150 for 1,5h. The high end is for a regular guy at The Prime whom I book in advance sometimes if I'm in need, he gets 500 for 1,5hrs because is massage is so good for me. No extras at all.

For regular massage ... if I ever had one in LOS.

 

 

A really had a giggle when I read this.

Thanks vinapu and anddy for very clear and sound advice. Now if I could just get back to Thailand soon to put it into practice.

If you go to a regular massage place & there offer hand relief, they usually suggest a 5-600 baht tip. So it follows any tip for a standard massage should be much lower. Anddy's figure above is probably about right.

There have been a number or posts regarding the so-called "non sexual"massage whatever that means.Some establishments do post a suggested tip.

Not quite sure what you mean by non-sexual? Do you also mean non-erotic? Do you wish to lie there totally naked and have some Thai boy massage you entire body except for your penis even though you may have an erection?

 

I would say a tip equivalent to what the house charges for the massage. So if the house fee is 300 Baht then a min tip would be 300 Baht. Or if you want a good massage and not pay more then go to a lady massage house and pay 100 or 200 Baht tip.

Not quite sure what you mean by non-sexual? Do you also mean non-erotic? Do you wish to lie there totally naked and have some Thai boy massage you entire body except for your penis even though you may have an erection?

 

Yes, sometimes actually that's EXACTLY what I want ! Sometimes a simple massage is what I require to ease my sore muscles etc before I head out for the night / to shag etc and the LAST thing I want is some opportune massage guy doing his damnedest to get my hard when I've already told him I JUST want an ordinary massage. But alas unfortunately I've discovered that I'm quite weak willed and must to my own annoyance do tend to just give in most ( all ) of the time - but SOMETIMES yes, a simple straight forward non sexual massage is EXACTLY what I want.

I am a traditional Thai massage enthusiast and once seriously considered to get a certificate from Wat Poh massage school.

I have tried various massage places over the years in Bangkok including blind man's institute. I also checked out therapeutic massage house in Taiwan and Beijing.

 

I usually have 2 hours traditional Thai massage course (500-1000Baht ) and pay 100-200 Tip.

By the way they provide pyjamas like thin clothes to wear.

 

Masseurs's skill varies even at a high end massage house.

Unfortunately I have experienced only 3 masseurs I would call with a exceptional massage skill over 300+.

I visit a couple of massage places in Pattaya where there is NO sexual services at all. Cost of Massage 300 baht. I tip 200 baht. At a total cost of 500 baht for an hour of professional massage this is outstanding value. It would cost me at least 5 times that amount here in the UK.

If you wear the pyjamas and it is a non-sexual massage then 100-200 max for a one hour massage in Bangkok or Pattaya. If you get away from the tourist areas you might even get a look of suprise when you offer a tip.

I spoke with a friend who often gets a no hanky panky massage from an older man here in Pattaya.

 

The cost for the massage is 200 TB with a tip of 120 TB.

You guys need to live out in the sticks.

 

I live in a village in Isaan and when I need a massage a (I guess) 50 year old Cambodian lady who is a thin as a stick comes around to the house. She is amazing always finding and treating the spot and working on it.

I pay 300 baht for 2 hours (no tip), I had started by paying 500 until my partner told me it was far to much and I would be creating a false market for the rest of the village

My usual rule of thumb in any massage place is to give the equivalent of the fee as a tip

So 300B oil massage gets 300B tip

200B foot massage gets 200 tip etc.

Usually I tip 200 per hour if massage was good, and 100 if it was just average. For great I tip 300-500, but I got great massage only few times - mostly from Nick from thaimasseur.biz

Whilst in Pattaya I get almost all my massages from the same boy who works in a multi-gender massage shop on Second Road opposite Alcazar. This massage shop is in theory, and for the most part is, a non-sexual massage shop.

 

Now over the years he has been getting generous 'private tips' from me for HJs, but I still give a 'show tip' as I leave of 200 baht to cover for the fact that everyone knows now that he will go out of his way to wait for me when he knows I am visiting.

 

Ok, now to slowly get to my point, an oil massage there is 300 baht and he gets 100 baht of that. He and his girlfriend both work in the same shop and can get three or four massages a day even in low season, sometimes more, varying from oil, physical, to foot and head massages. 

 

He talks to me quite freely now, including his work and they get customers from all parts of the globe, and without getting embroiled in cultural or ethnic distinctions some will leave them no tips and some will leave very small tips - maybe 20-40 baht. He regards 100 baht as a good average tip. 

Thanks for all the input guys. It's very helpful.