February 4th, 2007, 20:43
...or farang ripoff?
I'm staying at the Chin House on Saladang Soi 1 and wandered out tonight to grab some dinner. The hotel guard recommended I go to a seafood restaurant across the steet, down about 40 yards.
It was one of those typical open-air affairs, low-end compared to the places like that you see in Phuket, with some seafood displayed on ice in front. I opted for some squid (garlic and pepper), mixed veggies, a beer, and a plate of rice. The squid sucked, the veggies were OK.
Total bill was 768 baht. I asked what the extra 20% line item was, it's service charge.
I gave them a 1,000 note and threw every last satang of change into my pocket and left. There's no way that place adds 20% onto every bill there, I just don't believe it. I could believe a 20% service charge added onto a bill at Gary Danko in San Fran but 20% at a streetside open air Thai 'restaurant' with plastic chairs? I've never heard of such, but maybe other board members find this common practice?
On a more positive note, the Chin House II is very nice...my room is really a small 1-bedroom apartment. Of course, they're charging $100 US a night....
I'm staying at the Chin House on Saladang Soi 1 and wandered out tonight to grab some dinner. The hotel guard recommended I go to a seafood restaurant across the steet, down about 40 yards.
It was one of those typical open-air affairs, low-end compared to the places like that you see in Phuket, with some seafood displayed on ice in front. I opted for some squid (garlic and pepper), mixed veggies, a beer, and a plate of rice. The squid sucked, the veggies were OK.
Total bill was 768 baht. I asked what the extra 20% line item was, it's service charge.
I gave them a 1,000 note and threw every last satang of change into my pocket and left. There's no way that place adds 20% onto every bill there, I just don't believe it. I could believe a 20% service charge added onto a bill at Gary Danko in San Fran but 20% at a streetside open air Thai 'restaurant' with plastic chairs? I've never heard of such, but maybe other board members find this common practice?
On a more positive note, the Chin House II is very nice...my room is really a small 1-bedroom apartment. Of course, they're charging $100 US a night....