I know this seems like a strange subject. But after reviewing hotels in Bangkok I've noticed a strange trend. The biggest complaint hotel guests have about hotels in Bangkok are about the indifferent attitudes and downright rude behaviours from hotel staff.

What happened to the much heard about Thai warmth, smile and hospitality? After all there are so many hotels in Thailand that have received coveted awards for quality and yes of course for impeccable service.

Well it's not missing. It's certainly there, if you know how to look for it.

One thing most Westerners don't realize is that the society in Asia is based on class. Remember your mother said, "Don't judge a book by it's cover."? Well that's exactly what Asians do and in this case specifically Thais. They think the better you're dressed, the more affluent you are. Or simply put, rich.

Whenever my friends visit me in Bangkok I do the usual friend routine which is pick them up from the airport if I have time, and drop them off at the hotel they've booked.

I can certainly tell you which of my friends get better service and which don't, and you probably can too by now.

Once I went over with a good friend of mine from Australia to check in at the Centre Point serviced apartment in Sukhumvit, a 3.5 star hotel run managed by local Thais. He was here on business and so is well dressed, with a blue button down shirt, houndstooth tie with a windsor knot and a well a pair of shoes with a fresh coating of polish. I was in my usual business casual attire. We approached the front reception just behind a couple of Irishmen I believe from the accent. The Irishmen were dressed in cargo shorts, flip flops and one had a tank top with the words, "No money, no honey.", while the other wore a t-shirt with two stick figures demonstrating a dozen ways to fornicate.

The receptionist who was speaking on the phone knew the Irishmen made it to the desk first. She immediately hung up the phone, came over to us and gave us a Wai (a traditional Thai greeting).

The Irishmen were pissed. I wasn't surprised. My friend though graciously pointed out that the Irish fellows were at the desk first. So to add insult to injury the receptionist called the back room for assistance. Which she could have done in the beginning so that the Irishmen wouldn't lost face.

This type of "attire discrimination" definitely won't happen in most 4 to 5 star luxury or business class hotels, especially ones that have staff trained by Western management. Because Westerners understand that even though you may go to work in a tailor fitted Italian suit but on holiday it's flip flops and the t-shirt you wore back during your University days.

Thais working in locally run hotels however don't see it that way. It's all ingrained in their psyche and most will automatically make the assumption that a well dressed man is a successful man. And the man at the front desk who is requesting a room change and dressed like he came back from the pool is probably a pool cleaner from wherever he came from.

Note I put the words "Possible" in quotes and not definite because obviously what I am suggesting is not a sure thing. It has worked for my friends more than a couple of times and there are many other factors that possibly come to play. But it never hurts to try and is simple. So don't get mad at me if it doesn't work for you.

As you know already Thais give better service and attention to people who are dressed presentably. So when you check into your hotel, wear something that is business casual. Hotels want repeat customers. Especially customers who they think have money. So to make you happy they'll appease you with a room upgrade. Such an act of generosity would certainly make anyone come back wouldn't it?

Don't go nuts and wear a suit, it's hot in Bangkok. Talk slow and keep your voice down. I notice many people who check into hotels speak in a fast clip in English. You have to remember Thai is their native language. And if you talk too loud it may be perceived as temper, which is really frowned upon in Thailand.

Most importantly smile. This is the land of smiles after all.