What are some do’s and don’ts when dining in Thailand?

Food, and the culture surrounding it, forms a very important part of daily life in Thailand. If you choose to live and work there you are certain to find yourself around the dinner table with a local family or friends at some point. To avoid embarrassment for you and your fellow diners there are a few small do’s and don’ts to remember. Unlike in many Western cultures, it is traditional to order several dishes for everyone to share rather than a single dish to eat on your own. The order is typically made by the host or the most senior figure at the table. Don’t forget that it is polite to finish everything you have on your plate and that rice and noodles should not be eaten together in the same mouthful.