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Thailand hotels surprise charge: US$10-25/night ... sometimes

This is a warning about surprise charges in some hotels in Thailand, including Bangkok.
These charges are rarely specified on hotel web sites or brochures.
They range from about US$10 up to US$25 for some nights of your stay, for some guests, under some conditions.

Experienced travellers will realize I am about to describe Thailand hotels' infamous "joiner fee".

Making new friends is one of the fun things to do in Thailand.
Sometimes travellers will invite a new friend back to the hotel room to get better acquainted.
That's when the joiner fee might be applied.

Some hotels charge a joiner fee, some don't.
There is no pattern: large or small, high-end or budget, international chain or independent.
It's up to the individual hotel.
And their policy can change depending on a lot of things, such as the season.

The same hotel may have different policies for different categories of guests.
In Bangkok, I frequently stay at a large, up-scale, hotel: the sort where the lobby has crystal chandeliers and marble floors.
While waiting for the elevator, I observed a Western guest go to the security desk to register and take a Thai friend to the room.
I overheard the security guard explain, "No for you. Only must for Japanese."
The next morning I went to reception to inquire about this curious policy.
They confirmed, "Only Japanese must pay joiner fee. Someone like you not pay. Enjoy your stay with us, sir."

Some travellers attempt to avoid the joiner fee by registering for a double room.
It doesn't work that way.
If you register for a double, then your "double" must check in with you, and show passport or local ID.
If anyone goes to your room who is not a registered guest, then a joiner fee may apply.

Sometimes I've seen guests arguing with the security staff or the duty manager about the joiner fee requirement.
I've never seen a guest win that argument.
Besides, arguing with Thais on their home turf is a very, very, bad idea.

The joiner fee -- in those hotels which charge one -- is a profitable source of additional revenue.
The hotel provides nothing extra in return, except for, usually, an extra towel.

How do you know in advance if a hotel charges a joiner fee?
How do you know how much the fee is?
On the Internet there are some web sites with lists of hotels which do not charge a joiner fee.
But hotel policies change, and such information is unreliable.
The only reliable way to know is to ask the hotel directly.
The best way to ask is in person.
Don't be shy -- every hotel clerk in Thailand knows about joiner fees.
Simply ask, "What is the joiner fee at this hotel?"
Good news is, "No problem, sir, we don't have any charge."
The alternative is to be quoted a price of 400 - 1,000 baht per night.

If you are making a reservation in advance, you can inquire by email or fax.
Sometimes you will get an answer.
(In Thailand, I've consistently found fax gets more reliable answers than email.)

Thailand is a wonderful country in many ways, with many surprises for travellers.
Hopefully this information will help you avoid an unpleasant surprise on your hotel bill.

If you have specific questions, you are welcome to send me email or private message.

- Peter
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