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AIBU?

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Original poster

To host a “Thai Party” and invite someone of Thai descent?

31 replies

srapa · 23/02/2026 20:25

I love Thailand and go at least once a year. I love the food, people, atmosphere. More specifically, I love a Thai holiday.

I was going to host a Thai themed dinner party. So I would cook Thai dishes from scratch, buy Thai beers, have some “Tropical” decorations, maybe play some Thai/Beach Bar music. Have people dress up (if they want!) in holiday clothes/shirts.

I didn’t think anything of this, until I realised someone on my invite list is adopted from Thailand.

AIBU? Is this culturally insensitive?

OP posts:
Kisskiss · 23/02/2026 20:31

I think it depends what the association is. You’re doing a holiday theme, it’s happy , it’s fun. I wouldn’t be offended, and I say this as a person from a neighbouring country…

mindutopia · 23/02/2026 20:31

I think it depends on the person and I’d probably ask for their input on planning.

I’m American and I would not be the least bit offended if someone invited me to an American themed party. I acknowledge though that there is an ethnic element here that may be different as I’m white and probably you are too. But I would actually be a little bit miffed if you invited me to an American themed party and then got it all wrong.

I’d appreciate a heads up and I’d be super excited to tell you what authentic dishes to make and music to play, etc. There may be a tricky element here though because your friend is adopted and maybe has little connection to Thai culture.

gototogo · 23/02/2026 20:30

It’s fine, it’s cultural appreciation. You aren’t pretending you are Thai

Tigerbalmshark · 23/02/2026 20:30

I think the dressing up and decorating probably is a bit! Or has the potential to be. Thai food and beer is totally fine.

Would doing French food and wine be inappropriate, obviously not. Would asking people to dress up in berets and striped tops, and hanging strings of onions and French flags up with Plastic Betrand playing in the background be pretty tacky, yes. Apply the same rules to a Thai-themed dinner party.

LadyMacbethWasFierce · 23/02/2026 20:29

The Thai food cooked from scratch sounds lovely. But the decorations and dressing up makes it feel as though Thailand is somehow reduced to a “theme” and that does seem insensitive.

Ponoka7 · 23/02/2026 20:28

So you are doing a Thai beach holiday theme, not a Thailand theme. Getting the two mixed up is offence. Thailand is more than a holiday destination.