Was talking to several friends who go to Pattaya on occasion, discussing the dollar, the long flights from the east coast of the states and the cost of a multi week trip.

 

They were amazed at the money I spent while I was there and said I was seriously over paying the boys and screwing up the entire system for everybody else.

 

I pay 2000 short and 3000 long, they said 1000-1500 short and 2000 long. They said 1000 for a couple hours is more than enough for the going rate.

 

Any thoughts as to who is right?

It's depends on boy...

 

Homeless boy from beach will glad to join you even for 300 Bahts, Lao and Cambodian boys from Walking street or other "freelancers areas" will join you for 300-500-700 Bahts, Thai boys from bars will say you "up to you" but will expect 1000 Baht for short... Only cutest of bar's boy may be will pretend for more than 1000 for short time...

Was talking to several friends who go to Pattaya on occasion, discussing the dollar, the long flights from the east coast of the states and the cost of a multi week trip.

 

They were amazed at the money I spent while I was there and said I was seriously over paying the boys and screwing up the entire system for everybody else.

 

I pay 2000 short and 3000 long, they said 1000-1500 short and 2000 long. They said 1000 for a couple hours is more than enough for the going rate.

 

Any thoughts as to who is right?

 

 

Your friends are definitely right and IMHO the long is only 1500 in Pattaya 2000 in Bangkok. Those are the more then acceptable rates. However if you choose to be more generous, that is your business and I seriously doubt you are screwing it up for anyone else.

 

Depending on the boy you choose he will be thankful for the good fortune of a very generous farang and knows better then to expect that on a normal basis from others.

Your friends are definitely right and IMHO the long is only 1500 in Pattaya 2000 in Bangkok. Those are the more then acceptable rates. However if you choose to be more generous, that is your business and I seriously doubt you are screwing it up for anyone else.

 

Depending on the boy you choose he will be thankful for the good fortune of a very generous farang and knows better then to expect that on a normal basis from others.

and will expect from the next customer the same generous amount

They were amazed at the money I spent while I was there and said I was seriously over paying the boys and screwing up the entire system for everybody else.

 

You are now screwing it up anymore than the people who pay under the going rates. There are lots of those guys as well. I think the average Joe pays according to Firecat's estimates and there are some that pay over and some that pay less but you did NOT screw things up for anyone. That is a load of horse shit. IMHO

I'm with GT on this one. You pay what you think you think is fair. And nobody ought to give one whit what anybody else pays (and, if somebody tells you that "you're screwing it up for the rest of us", tell them to take a hike).

 

As far as I'm concerned, the same notion applies to what people choose to tip in restaurants. If somebody thinks I tip too much (or too little), I could care less.

 

Any thoughts as to who is right?

 

 

To be honest, I believe your friends are right about amount of the tip. On the other hand, when I am back home I do get requests from some regulars for money. The amount I send them is about what you are paying for long time and I get nothing in return.

To be honest, I believe your friends are right about amount of the tip. On the other hand, when I am back home I do get requests from some regulars for money. The amount I send them is about what you are paying for long time and I get nothing in return.

 

 

Well said and I get those requests even when I am in Thailand from past friends and many times ask for nothing in return. The boys are not stupid. They know the difference between someone who lives in Thailand and someone who is visiting. They adjust what they expect from a year round regular customer and are happy with it. Also they know the going rate and just because they got a generous farang last night, they don't expect it the next night.

 

I can't remember the last time I asked a boy "How Much". I pay what I know to be an acceptable rate and hand it to him as he leaves. In the last 7 years I have maybe had 3 requests for more and when I smiled and said No they smiled and left.

 

BTW that doesn't work if you are trying to give them 3-500 baht.. If thats what you want you better have it agreed to in advance and IMHO you should be ashamed of yourself. But thats just my opinion

As a tourist, I pay 1000 or just over for short time in Pattaya & this is a tip I decide on just before he leaves.

From what I gather from others, that's the going rate.

 

2000 is overpaying, but that's up to you. One person doesn't change the going rate.

If my bank balance resembled that of Bill Gates, I might even pay a little more.