One of the great pleasure of being in Thailand is that there is a great abundance of eating places and the cost of eating is rather cheap when compared to those in Western countries. As Thailand is a major agricultural country, grains, vegetables, meat and all kinds of foodstuff are produced here at very reasonable prices. Besides, aquatic and marine animals are easily acquired from the sea and many rivers. These factors together with the gift of cooking of Thai people make Thailand a paradise for every food lover.
Wherever you are in Thailand, you'll surely find a good number and variety of eating places -- perhaps much more than you've ever expected. And that's why many Western visitors said that one of their pleasures while being in Thailand is EATING! When asked why? They s : imply said -- Because it is delicious and cheap!

When travelling to the North of Thailand, do not miss khantok (or khantoke) dinner. Khantok in the Northern dialect means a wooden tray used for carrying dishes. Round in shape, it is made of teak wood, varnished or lacquered with 5 or 6 legs to support it. A Buddhist monk in the North is credited with the making of the first khantok. Then its use became popular and a dinner where a khantok is used is known as a khantok dinner.

In 1962, King Baudouin of Belgium visited Thailand as a royal guest of King Bhumibol. During his stay at the Royal Winter Palace (Bhubing Palace), he was entertained with a khantok dinner accompanied by northern folk dances.

At a khantok dinner, the host and the invited guests sit on the floor around the khantok, each of which serves 5 or 6 persons. The tradition of wearing northern mohom costume for a khantok dinner is no longer observed today.

The main dishes on the khantok usually comprise sticky rice, hang-le curry (Burmese-styled curry), ho curry, khae curry, om curry (spicy curry of entrails), sai-ua (Northern Thai-styled), lap (minced meat, half cooked and highy seasoned), man phrik ong (a sauce of minced pork, tomatoes and chillies) which usually goes with khaep mu (crispy pork rinds), and khao soi (noodles in curry soup). Eating with (the right) hand, they scoop up a handful of sticky rice from the bamboo basket and dip it into the curry or chilli sauce and eat it.

After the meal, a dessert called khao taen, which is made of fried sticky rice covered with caramel, is served. Also served are khiyo cigars and fermented tea, which is chewed to help digestion. The khiyo cigar is made of shredded tobacco and ground tamarind bark, or khiyo, which can reduce the strong odour of tobacco.

While dining, Northern classical dances are performed to entertain guests. One of the most popular is fon lep or fingenail dance, in which women dancers are dressed in Northern Thai style, wearing long pointed brass fingernails. The programme of dances and dishes may vary from restaurant to restaurant.

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