THAI FOOD
Thai cuisine is unique, blending a multitude of spices and ingredients that make each dish a special joy. It is common to be served dishes that include hot, sour, sweet and salty flavors at one meal.

A typical Thai meal will include a soup, salad, fish, rice, vegetables, and some times a meat dish, either pork, chicken or beef Thai cuisine combines the best of both Chinese and Indian culinary traditions – noodles, curries, sweet and sour dishes, and exotic spices. All dishes are served with an array of natural herb and liquid condiments.

Thai food can be found everywhere. Street vendors selling noodles and BBQ sit side by side with gala seafood restaurants and flashyeateries staffed by traditional Thai dancers and servers, which have the diner believing they are indeed royalty, them selves.

Food paiks, or food centres, usually in large shopping malls or in traditional markets, are regular stops for Thais and comprise numerous stalls offering every imaginable type of cuisine. Most food parks and food centres have menus with color pictures of dishes to assist diners in their choices. in the provinces, Thai food is the normal fare.

Open-air garden restaurants and riverside restaurants are peaceful venues and are favored by Thais for dining in the evenings, especially in Bangkok. menus are extensive, service is prompt and prices, like everywhere in Thailand, are reasonable. In Bangkok, many of the hotels offer dinner cruises during the evening along the Chao Phraya River Gentle Breezes, candlelight, traditional music and dance create a romantic atmosphere.

Seafood restaurants are very popular in Thailand. They offer a wide choice of the freshest fish and seafood from charcoal grilled to broiled to in lividual requests. A fine selection of local and imported wines is also available.

Some tourist-orientated restaurants present Thai classical and folk dances. Guests sit at low tables, often in traditional surroundings, with teak paneling and floors, exquisite porcelain, and classic paintings. A combination of Thai cuisine, music, silk, orchids and graceful dancers are sure to produce a memorable evening

TABLE ETIQUETTE
Dining is, above all else, the most important social event in Thai life. Using the correct utensils (a fork and spoon) and proper eating gestures will garner much respect from the Thais.

The fork is used to push small amounts of food onto the spoon. The spoon is the only instrument to enter your month. To Thais, using a fork to put food into ones mouth is as uncouth as using a knife in Western countries to put food into the mouth. noodles are eaten with chopsticks

Normally, several food platters and a large bowl of rice are set on the table. When serving yourself, put no more than one or two spoonfuls on your plate at a time. never fill your plate at one time as in Western countries. It’s customary at the start of a meal to have a spoonful of plain rice first. If Thais are hosting you, they’ll undoubtedly encourage you to eat more of the nonrice dishes as a gesture of their hospitality.

When eating with Thais, always try to finish the food on your plate. This will please the host, communicating the message that the food was delicious.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD
Chinese food in Thailand is second to none. indian, European, Mediterranean and other Asian cuisines are represented in abundance in major cities. American and Continental breakfasts are served in most hotels and coffee shops. Western-style fast food, snack shops and ice-cream parlors are fast gaining popularity among Thais.