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

[srapa]

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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…

Do the Thai food and drink but make it clear it's a beach holiday party rather than a Thailand party. Thailand is a big country and not all about beaches and parties.

We have dinner parties where the main theme is French, we have winter bratwurst bbqs, summer Middle Eastern feasts - all enjoyed by everyone. We don’t wear lederhosen, or onions around our neck though!! Have the party, but I don’t understand the ‘dress up’ bit?

You love the experience of being a tourist in Thailand.
If you are careful to be aware of the distinction between that and celebrating actual Thai culture, I suppose you should be safe from causing offence.
Where the lines may become blurred is things like cooking the food from scratch. Unless you happen to be really good at cooking Thai food for some reason, it’s going to look more like you’re making light of their culture by doing a half arsed theme party. You’d be better to order authentic food than do a bad job of cooking it.
Being brutally honest, the whole thing sounds kind of tacky no matter where you’re from.

Having Thai food is normal same with any other dishes but it is not a theme park

I agree that the meal idea sounds lovely, but the decor and dress up is a bit much for a dinner party. Have a dress-up at another time if you want.

Out of interest, what is on your menu? I love Thai food and always looking to try new recipes.

Just do the food and leave everything else. I'd be very confused if I was invited to a Thai party and it was all beach stuff, I've been several times and never been to the beach. I think Thailand and think exciting city, night markets, temples - and food.

Sounds lovely! Enjoy your night

Depends if it’s an authentic experience or “cringe”.

That individual presumably knows you well enough to know if they will attend or skip it.

Throw your party, @srapait sounds lovely.

Lots of very earnest people on this thread.

It sounds more like cultural appropriation not appreciation

Just go for it and have a great time. Sounds like fun 🌸

Maybe if I make it clear that it’s a “Thai Holiday” dinner party. Also who said I only go to beaches in Thailand?

It makes even less sense, why not just serve thai food

Reading all the comments no one has said you only go to beaches in Thailand so that’s a random comment from you

The music and dressing up and "tropical" decorations sound cringe.

Cook Thai food. Drink Thai beer. Job done.

This is super bizarre. The food is normal - but please enlighten me - exactly what decorations are you planning? This is a minefield OP!

I wouldn’t. Just serve the food and beers etc. The theme sounds a bit cringe anyway.

I'd leave out the dress up component. What are holiday clothes? I've been to Thailand multiple times and don't wear anything different than I do in any warm climate (and for the activity).

It's the 'Thai holiday' bit that's the problem.