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Thai food is famous the world over, and when in Thailand, you can indulge the foodie in you with a variety of cuisine incorporating the perfect blend of spices, herbs and flavours designed to tantalis e the tastebuds. Eating is also an art and part of the ancient culture in Thailand, and there are rules you must follow to enjoy a fully immersive experience as this article on how to eat like a local in Thailand explains.

Sitting down for a meal in Thailand is different to what you may be used to if you come from a western nation. To begin with, the senior most person does not sit at the head of the table, instead, they are offered a seat in the middle area. As a guest it is best to wait politely until you are offered your place, thus avoiding any confusion.

Some homes in Thailand will have low tables and cushions for sitting on instead of chairs – in this case, you must sit in a position where your feet do not point at anyone and are not visible; it is considered impolite to show your feet to other diners. Do not begin eating until the senior-most person at your table has started.

When dining at a restaurant, you may find strangers sitting at your table – this is quite normal, and it does not mean you are supposed to engage in conversation with them. Simply carry on with your meal as though you were seated all alone. Busy tourist centres like Phuket in Thailand offer some of the best eateries in the nation. And some popular resorts like Anantara Layan Phuket Resort will include several in-house eateries for the convenience of guests. These eateries are among the best restaurants in Phuket and are ideal for learning a thing or two about Thai dining etiquette.

While combined eating is a thing when dining in Thailand, it does not mean you must compromise your dietary requirements. Do not feel obliged to try various dishes just because everyone else is eating them. Some dishes may be extremely spicy, and others may contain ingredients you don’t eat or are allergic to; therefore, inquire about the ingredient and the dish before you heap your plate with them.

You are by no means required to serve yourself every dish that is being passed around; it is quite alright to politely decline food containing ingredients you don’t eat. This is considered alright as opposed to leaving food on your plate, which is seen as disrespectful. Avoid serving food you won’t eat, and when not sure, try very small portions at first. Do not pile your plate with every food from every dish on the table. Taste a little at a time and reserve only what you like.

It is quite alright to add sauces and condiments to your food. Unlike in some cultures, it is not considered rude to add extra flavour to your food in Thailand.

Unlike some of their South Asian contemporaries, Thais do not use chopsticks for eating. The fork and spoon are the popular choices. If you must cut food, use the edge of the spoon to do so. You hold the spoon in the right hand and the fork in the left. Do not put the fork in your mouth as it is used to heap the food onto the spoon, which is what you put in your mouth.

When serving from the main dishes, do not use the spoon you are eating with, there will be separate serving spoons for each dish and that is what you must use.