A khan tok (Thai: ขันโตก, [kʰǎn tòːk]) is a pedestal tray used as a small dining table by the Lanna people (of northern Thailand), Laotians, and by people from Isan (northeastern Thailand). A khan tok tray is a short, round table with several legs made from wood. It has a diameter of about 35 cm.
Contents
Culture
These people eat glutinous rice instead of "fluffy" rice, which is eaten in the rest of Thailand. Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa; also called "sticky rice", "sweet rice", or "waxy rice") is grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia. It has opaque grains, very low amylose content and is sticky when cooked. It is called glutinous (< Latin glūtinōsus) in the sense of being glue-like or sticky, and not in the sense of containing gluten. While often called "sticky rice", it differs from non-glutinous strains of japonica rice that also become sticky to some degree when cooked. Numerous cultivars of glutinous rice exist, including japonica, indica and tropical japonica strains.
A khan tok can hold cups of rice and other food, flowers, and candles and fruit.
Dining
People in northern Thailand traditionally sit on the floor when eating. When the food is ready, it is poured into cups and placed on the khan tok tray. Then it is ready to be served.
Khan tok is used as dining furniture to keep food off the ground at special occasions such as wedding parties, funerals, housewarming parties and temple festivals.
Khan tok dinners involve different foods depending on social status. Khan tok dinners are a northern tradition, especially in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, and Lampang.
Ceremonial use
A location is prepared for the guests by providing them with a seat and table.