The first thing to note is the use of communal bowls. When you go to a restaurant, you don't usually order food just for yourself. If there are four of you, then you should order at least five dishes. What happens next is that the waitress will put a couple of big spoonfuls of rice on your plate. You then help yourself to food from any of the dishes in any order. However, you should make a point of using the serving spoon from each dish. You should also only put a couple of spoonfuls on your plate at a time. Don't fill your plate up as in the West. Just go back to help yourself to more.
In Thailand, it is traditional to use a spoon and fork. Chopsticks are actually a Chinese influence and you probably would only use them for eating noodles. Actually, when the students eat noodles at school they use a spoon and fork.
