Pad thai
ผัดไทย Pad thai · Bangkok, Thailand
A 'national dish' that only appeared in the 1930s, promoted to build national identity.
Know before you go
- Don't put food in your mouth with a fork (Thais hold the spoon in the right hand and the fork in the left, using the fork only to push food onto the spoon)
- don't point your feet at food or step over food on the floor
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Pad thai is a street dish of stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, peanuts, spring onion, egg, sugar and bean sprouts. Stir-fried rice noodles came to Thailand with Chinese immigrants centuries ago — the word 'kuay teow' is borrowed from Teochew — but the dish called 'pad thai' ('Thai-style stir-fry') only appeared in the 1930s, named 'Thai' to build national identity. A common story is that during the Second World War, with rice short because of war and floods, the government promoted a noodle dish made with rice noodles.
Local customs
- The table has four condiments — sugar, fish sauce, chilli flakes and vinegar — to add as you like
- squeeze in lime before eating
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Drones must be registered in Thailand
- Register with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of arrival or purchase, even if you don't plan to fly
- Bringing in an unregistered drone
Fines of up to THB 100,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand
- Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices
Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Never insult the Thai royal family
- Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care
- Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included
The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't put food in your mouth with a fork (Thais hold the spoon in the right hand and the fork in the left, using the fork only to push food onto the spoon)
- don't point your feet at food or step over food on the floor
Locals appreciate DO
Thais appreciate visitors who can say 'aroi' (delicious).
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- There are many old shops around Khao San Road and the old city
- night-market stalls are cheapest. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
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