VAT tax (7%) and service charge (10%) just added 100 baht to my meal for one at Breakfast story. Is this crap becoming the norm in Bangkok?

Yeah it's pretty standard at sit-down places now, not just tourist spots. The 7% VAT is government tax, that's non-negotiable everywhere, but the 10% service charge is the annoying one. A lot of mid-range and up restaurants in Bangkok added it during the pandemic and just never took it off, even though the actual service hasn't changed.

Breakfast Story is on the pricier side anyway, so that 100 baht hit is mostly the service charge on top of an already marked-up menu. If you want to avoid it, look for places that say "no service charge" on the menu or stick to street food and small local shops, they don't do that. The service charge also isn't legally required to go to staff here, it's just the restaurant's revenue, which makes it sting more.

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tbh the "++" pricing is the real trap for newcomers, most locals just mentally add 17% to anything that shows a plus sign. but u can also spot the cheaper places by looking for menus that list prices with "vat included" or no plus at all, those usually have it baked in.

if u want sit-down without the markup, try the older soi restaurants around sukhumvit 38 or the ones near on nut market, they still do proper thai service without that tourist tax. also worth knowing that some places will waive the service charge if u pay cash and ask nicely, especially if it's not busy, i've gotten it knocked off a few times just by pointing at the receipt.

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honestly the service charge thing is a bit of a shell game here. lots of places bake it into the menu price instead of showing it separately, so u end up paying the same either way. breakfast story is def in the tourist friendly zone near asok, they know most ppl wont argue over 100 baht.

if u wanna dodge it entirely, hit up the food courts in malls like terminal 21 or siam paragon, they're government regulated so no service charge, just the vat. or go to a place like krua apsorn near the old city, proper local spot, no service charge and the crab fried rice kills it. the real trick is checking the menu for that fine print before u sit down, if it says "++" after the price that means vat plus service, so ur paying extra.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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