Spoon & Fork

“Using chopsticks is not as common in Thailand as many believe...”

In Thailand, it is customary to use a spoon and fork to eat. This tradition is rooted in the fact that Thai cuisine typically consists of dishes that are served with rice, which is eaten with a spoon, and other dishes that are eaten with a fork. The spoon is used to scoop up rice and to help with eating soups and curries, while the fork is used to push and guide food onto the spoon. When eating Thai food, we hold a spoon in our right hand and the fork in the left (or you can hold the spoon in your dominant hand and the fork in the other).

Using chopsticks is not as common in Thailand as many believe, since chopsticks are more commonly used in Chinese district and/or household where food are served in a dry or semi-dry state, whereas Thai cuisine typically involves dishes that are served in sauces and gravies. Additionally, many of us may not feel as comfortable using chopsticks as we do with a spoon and fork, given that chopsticks are not as prevalent in Thai district/household.

Moreover, in Thai culture, it is considered impolite to put the fork in your mouth, which is why it is mainly used to push food onto the spoon. Using a knife to cut food is also uncommon, as most dishes are easily cut by the spoon or already prepared in bite-sized pieces . Overall, using a spoon and fork in Thailand is a practical and effective way to eat most Thai dishes, and it is deeply ingrained in the country's cultural heritage.