Just like in other nations, there will be several rules and customs to be followed when dining in Thailand. Irrespective of whether you happen to be having dinner at a Thai home, dining with Thai friends, taking part in a business lunch or eating at a local restaurant, it would be appropriate to conform to basic Thai table manners. Although Thais will not expect foreigners to demonstrate perfect local table manners, they will appreciate it when you try to do so.

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Unlike in Western nations, where the most senior or most important individual sits at the table’s head, in Thailand, you will find that the most significant person would be seated at the centre of the table. If you happen to be unsure of where you should sit, you may wait to be shown to your seat.

When it comes to Thai meals you will find that dishes will always be shared when a group is dining together. Accordingly, when dining at a restaurant you should order several dishes to be shared amongst your group. At a formal meal, the senior ladies present may select the dishes to be shared.

You should be cautious when eating unfamiliar foods in Thailand. Since it will take time for foreigners to adjust to Thai cuisine, you may opt not to consume dishes that you feel you may not be able to handle so that you can avoid a possible upset stomach. That said, do not miss trying new dishes either! Some restaurants will accommodate requests to make dishes less spicy too.

You will find that a typical meal in Thailand would include rice, a salad or vegetable dish, soup and possibly some curries. When food is served, you should first serve yourself rice and then take small quantities of the other dishes, without taking too much from any dish. When it comes to restaurants in Chiang Rai where you could dine consider those at the SHA Extra+ certified Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort which will also be an accommodation choice to consider.

Using chopsticks is not part of the Thai food culture. Instead, Thais will use forks and spoons as their main utensils. The spoon should be held by the right hand while the fork should be held by the left. As Thai food comes in bite-sized amounts, knives will not be needed.

When dining on Thai foods that are eaten using the hands, like sticky rice, it will be important to only use the right hand. This is because Thai people traditionally consider that the left hand is unclean.

If you happen to feel that the meal is not spicy or salty enough, you will usually have the chance to help yourself to the sauces and seasonings that will accompany the food. By serving yourself condiments like vinegar, fish sauce and chilli flakes, you can alter the taste of the meal.

Just as in many other Asian nations, older persons and individuals holding high social status are greatly respected in Thailand. Therefore, generally, you should not commence eating or drinking at a Thai meal till the oldest or highest-ranking individual has begun dining.

You will often find that Thais will take plenty of time when dining so that they can enjoy the food. Additionally, dinner is considered a time for catching up with family and friends. Therefore, foreigners too should take their time and eat unhurriedly just as the locals do.

When it comes to paying for a meal, typically the person who has done the inviting will settle the bill. In some situations, the top-ranking or most senior individual will pay for the meal. Tipping will not be compulsory; if you desire to tip at a Thai restaurant, it should be done privately.