This page will focus on the table culture in Thailand. To include manners, behavior, dinnerware/utensil usage, serving styles, and more. Most of the information will be from my personal traveling experiences.
Cooking - Kitchens are not something that is found in all Thai households. Because eating out is not costly, many can eat for about 30 baht or $1 per meal. In wealthier homes, it may be more common to see gas stove tops or microwaves. It's rare to see ovens, most foods are fried, grilled, or steamed (ie breads rices, etc). Additionally, having an oven in the home wouldn't be efficient and would perhaps produced added heat in the house.
At the dinner table - All food entree dishes are typically placed on the table. Individuals then slowly add food to their plates as they eat. Typical dishes may include: meat, rice, vegetable dish. The flavors may be sweet, salty, and/or spicy. As for as condiments, most tables, have a chili sauce (chillies in fish or soy sauce) or red pepper flakes.
Years ago meals were eaten on floor mats, with small tables, 8-10" in height. Meals today are commonly eaten at the table with chairs. Talking at the dinner table is permissible.
Eating out - When eating out it is customary that the individual extending the invite, pay for the meals. Exceptions to the case may be when one person is of significantly higher wealth than the other(s). "Going Dutch" is not commonly practiced in Thailand.
Restaurants - Restaurants are typically centered in a roof-covered eatery. These locations typically have cement floors with 3-10 tables. Some food is ordered as one walks into the establishments, whereas at other times, the meals are ordered through a waiter/waitress. The farther one is from tourist attractions the greater the chance of ordering meals from Thai menu (no English translations). The closer one is to tourist-prone areas, the larger the likelihood of of having English translations, as well as illustrations within the menu. One should note that it is all to common to order an entree, and to later have a waiter/waitress return to your table (sometimes 15-20 minutes later) to tell you that the menu item is not available.
Most Thai restaurant tables are complete with a plastic container with tissues (occasionally napkins), fish sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce (minced chilies in a soy/fish sauce), red pepper flakes, and a sweet/sour chili sauce. Depending on the food served in the restaurant, there may also be pickled green vegetables that can be added to dishes. In less traditional Thai eateries, one may notice salt and pepper on the tables as well.
To get your bill, simply say "check bin." This is not Thai language. Instead it's English. The English phrasing is actually, "check bill." 'L's' are a difficult consonant for Thais to pronounce.
In addition, most restaurants do not include steamed rice with the meals (such as curries, stir-fry meals, etc). There is typically an added cost of 10-15 baht for the extra item. Rice is then portioned in some geometric shape, 1.5-2 cup serving of steamed white rice. Rice is usually pre-made and takes no time to serve you if you forget to order it with you meal.
Utensils - Thai's typically use spoons and forks versus chopsticks. When using a spoon and fork, it is polite to keep the spoon in your right hand and your fork in the left. The fork is used only to push food on to the spoon. This is done using the backside of the fork. Knives are not typical as far as eating utensils. Most Thai food such as meats/vegetables are cut small enough that there is no need for a knife.
Water - Most Thai's have large 5 gallon jugs of water in their homes, as many have deemed the water as unsafe for drinking. I am told the biggest issue with tap water is the pipes, not so much the microorganisms in the water. Safe drinking water is available for purchase in C-stores or 7Elevens for 6 baht for .6L or 13 baht for 1.5L. If you purchase a water bottler or other beverage from such locations, it's likely that one will be given a straw. A straw is considered to be more polite than drinking straight from the bottle. Some restaurants charge per bottle of water, while other offer it with the dining experience for 5-10 baht/bottle. Most of the water is served chilled or with safe ice. If the water is served in a pitcher, customers are typically given tin glasses with ice and a straw.
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