My Little Nomads

Thailand With Kids – Where To Go

Updated: January, 2012

Thailand is a country that impresses me more every time I visit. Southeast Asia is a great destination for a family vacation and Thailand is the best of the best.

A trip through Thailand with children will undoubtedly differ from the typical Thailand tour — or the trip you had to Thailand before you had kids.

But there are so many great towns, cities, islands and fantastic beaches. So much warmth and friendliness from the locals. And so many great tourist attractions, that with a bit of planning and the right attitude Thailand makes an awesome destination for a family holiday.

Top 5 Destinations in Thailand for Kids and Families

Chiang Mai

The big city with a small town feel,  Chiang Mai seems to combine the best of Bangkok with the appeal and accessibility of a small village. It makes a great base for exploring the wonders of Northern Thailand and will be an especially appealing destination for adventurous families that love to mix outdoor activity, urban culture and great food. Attractions run from elephant rides to water rafting, hillside treks to a day at the zoo.

Best months to visit Chiang Mai: November thru February.

Things To Do in Chiang Mai

  • Cooking courses (Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School) — Cooking courses are popular in Chiang Mai and as long as your kids are older than 7 they will likely enjoy shopping for, preparing and eating their own food. Homestays can also be arranged through the school.
  • Riding elephants (Maesa Elephant Camp) — A favorite for kids and families. A 30 minute or 1 hour ride through the forest can sound short but is usually enough for most children.
  • Chiang Mai Zoo (website is only in Thai) —  Tigers, giraffes and giant pandas are the highlights here and should keep the kids happy and engaged. A Twilight Zone tour at night allows visitors to take in the zoo during the cooler — and often more active — evening.
  • Chiang Mai Night Safari — Not to be confused with the Zoo’s Twilight Zone, this evening parkland-tour by bus takes in tigers, lions, crocodiles, rhinos and much more.
  • Mountain biking (Mountain Biking Chiang Mai), river cruises (Mae Ping River Cruise), hot-air balloons (Balloon Adventure Thai Company) and horse riding (Chiang Mai Horse Riding) are all great ways to get around and see the city and surrounding area.
  • Rock climbing (Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures) is very popular in the Chiang Mai area and sure to be a hit with kids over 8.

Recommended Hotels in Chiang Mai

Luxury

  • The Chedi — Chiang Mai’s most acclaimed hotel — and with good reason. Fantastic is the most descriptive word here.  The service, the staff, the food and the rooms are all great.  The Chedi is a 5-star hotel in almost every detail.

Moderate

  • Rimping Village Hotel – Good sized rooms, a nice pool, great breakfasts and incredibly friendly staff earn the Rimping raves from travelers.

Budget

  • Tadkham Village Hotel — A very family friendly hotel with a relaxed feel and beautiful garden atmosphere. You won’t get a swimming pool in this price range, but Chiang Mai has public pools if that’s a necessity.

Getting to Chiang Mai by Train

Sleeper trains take between 12 and 14 hours from Bangkok’s Hualamphong train station and make for Thailand’s best overnight train ride. Kids often love the mix of freedom and adventure that overnight trains afford and this route is long enough to get a real overnight trip without extending much into the 2nd day. Book as early as possible as the trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai can fill weeks in advance.

Getting to Chiang Mai by Airplane

The following low cost and major airlines serve Chaing Mai:

  • Air Asia — flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, Phuket and Kuala Lumpur.
  • Thai Airways — flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, Phuket, Mae Hong Son and Kunming, China.
  • Orient Thai Airlines — flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and Pai.
  • Bangkok Airways — flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and Samui.
  • Nokair — flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, Mae Hong Son, Pai, Chiang Rai, Nan and Udon Thani.
  • Silk Air — flights to Chiang Mai from Singapore.
  • Lao Airlines — flights to Chiang Mai from Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Laos.
  • Air Mandalay — flights to Chiang Mai from Rangoon, Burma.

Further Reading:

Hua Hin

This beach resort just a few hours from Bangkok by road or rail is very popular with Thais but has somehow missed the onslaught of foregin visitors that descend on the other coastal locals. It’s low key, easy to get to, and makes a great stop for people with just a few days to escape Bangkok or travelers on there way farther south.

Best Months to Visit Hua Hin: A great year-round destination, though the most rain comes from August to October.

Things To Do around Hua Hin

  • Beaches: The stretch of beach in front of the Sofitel Hotel is the best around Hua Hin. Cha Am — 10 miles north of Hua Hin — also has a beautiful beach, though it can be very busy on weekends.
  • Kids will probaby enjoy a visit to Monkey Mountain, 6 km south of Hua Hin (take a tuk tuk), where they can feed bananas to the resident population of monkeys. Great views and a popular temple are also there for the adults.
  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park located 40km south of Hua Hin, makes a great day trip. The reserve features towering limestone cliffs, caves, beaches and an abundance of wildlife. This is one of those places where splurging on a car and driver is probably wise as the park is difficult to reach with public transportation.

Recommended Hotels in Hua Hin

Luxury

  • Anantara Resort & Spa — A stunningly beautiful resort with super friendly staff, good food, and an incredible atmosphere of kid-friendly rest and relaxation.

Moderate

  • Dolphin Bay Resort — A good choice for families with young kids. A great family friendly vive pervades, with helpful staff and a nice swimming pool (with a water slide.)

Budget

  • Jed Pee Nong — A friendly staff, a decent sized swimming pool and good location in town make this hotel a good budget choice for families.

Getting to Hua Hin by Train and Bus

Hua Hin doesn’t have any regular flights from Bangkok but the train makes a pleasant 4 hour trip down the coast from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Station (reservations usually required). The bus is a bit quicker at 3.5 hours but not nearly as enjoyable (though you can usually always find a bus that’s departing within a few hours).

Further Reading:

Phuket

Some dismiss Phuket as too commercial and touristy, but the island is so beautiful and there is so much to do that it can make a perfect vacation for many families. This is one destination where planning (when to visit, where to stay, what beach to hang out at) can make a big difference as to whether your trip is a fun and enjoyable one.

Best Time to Vist Phuket: It gets very busy on the island in December and January but the weather can make for a miserable vacation in the rainy season from May to October (the eastern coast gets hit harder than the west coast by the monsoons). The best months to visit are probably February through April.

Things To Do in Phuket

  • Beaches: Kata, Karon and Patong are the 5 star beaches for most on Phuket. But many travelers have other favorites and if these are too busy it’s easy to find a secluded stretch of sand around the island. Note that during the rainy season from May to October the west side of Phuket can have very dangerous surf so ask the locals where to swim and pay attention to the red flags that mark a beach as unsafe to swim.
  • Snorkel in the Andaman Sea. — The best spots for snorkeling are out a bit out from the mainland and require a boat to get to. December through March is the best time for the clear calm seas necessary for snorkeling with kids. Dive Supply or Coral Seekers will be able to get you set up with equipment and day trips.
  • Play some mini-golf (Dino Park Mini Golf) — Located near Karon beach, this might be the coolest mini-golf course around. Kids love this place and the Flinstones theme only adds to the fun.

Recommended Hotels in Phuket

Luxury

  • Evason Resort & Spa — The only drawback here is the 2nd rate beach, but the pools, the spa, the food and the fantastic children’s club will make you forget all about it.

Moderate

  • Kata Beach Resort and Spa — The beach is the big draw here and the resort’s spot right on the sand gets raves. Families like to wander along the seaside looking for a beach shack for dinner. The hotel itself has a very kid friendly atmosphere and a great swimming pool.

Budget

Getting To Phuket by Airlplane

The following low cost and major airlines serve Phuket:

  • Air Asia — flights to Phuket from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.
  • Thai Airways — flights to Phuket from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
  • Orient Thai Airlines — flights to Phuket from Bangkok.
  • Bangkok Airways — flights to Phuket from Bangkok, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • Nokair — flights to Phuket from Bangkok.
  • Silk Air — flights to Phuket from Singapore.
  • Tiger Airways — flights to Phuket from Singapore.
  • Firefly — flights to Phuket from Penang, Malaysia.
  • JetStar — flights to Phuket from Singapore and Sydney, Australia.
  • Condor — flights to Phuket from many European cities including Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome.

Further Reading:

Railay Beach, Krabi

Quiet and secluded (you can only reach it by longtail boat from Ao Nang) Railay is an incredible destination for families. The kind of spot that makes you drop your bags and relax for a week or two. There are no cars on this little island-like outcrop of land, so once you’re here it’s all about the beaches, the sea, the kayaks and the climbing. Enjoy!

Best Time to Visit Railay: Much like Phuket the sea here can get rough and the weather rainy in the monsoon months from May to October. Try to visit from November to April.

Things To Do around Railay

  • Beaches: There are 3 beaches on Railay: Hat Rai Leh West, Hat Rai Leh East and Hat Phra Nang beach. Rai Leh West is where most of the hotels are located and is an incredible stretch of beach. Rai Leh East is muddy and shallow and not suitable for swimming. The accommodation here tends to be a little cheaper and it’s just a short 5 minute walk to the west beach. Phra Nang is a 10 minute walk from the hotel area, along a shaded path bordered by caves and rock cliffs. It’s considered one of Thailand’s best beaches and could easily be the highlight of any trip to the Krabi Area.
  • Rock Climbing options abound for older kids and adults. Climbing is a big business here and staff and guides are usually very helpful and well informed.
  • Kayaking and snorkeling. — Kayaks can be rented along the beach and day trips can be arranged through most resorts and hotels for snorkeling around nearby islands.

Recommended  Hotels in Railay

There isn’t a large range of price difference between the high and low end in Railay so these are listed from most expensive to least, but all fall somewhere in the moderate category. Most hotels in Railay offer large discounts during the low season and usually a free night for stays of longer than 3 nights.

  • Sunrise Tropical Resort — Situated on the east side of Railay (the non-swimming beach) but this is made up for by it’s great swimming pool and large roomy cottages with open air showers.
  • Railay Bay Resort and Spa — Rights smack in the best section of beach on Railay West. A good restaurant, great decor, and friendly service keep guests returning for more.
  • Railay Princess Resort & Spa — Great staff, a nice pool and clean well kept rooms are what you’ll find at the Railay Princess. Located in-between west and east Railay this hotel feels a bit removed from the beach scene.

Getting To Krabi by Airplane

The following low cost and major airlines serve Krabi (Railay’s nearest airport):

Further Reading

Koh Samui

This beautiful island on Thailand’s east coast is a good compromise between Phuket and Railay. Outside of Chaweng it’s not nearly as developed as Phuket. At the same time it’s a big island and if you’re the type that might feel a little isolated in Railay, Samui offers lots of activities and there are many towns and beach centers to explore around its coasts. Samui has gone upscale over the last 20 years and is no longer the backpacker destination it was back when I first visited.

Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: The east coast is more forgiving with off-season travel than the west coast making the choice of when to visit not so vital. But if you’re forced to pick the best months they’re probably December to April.

Things To Do on Samui

  • Beaches: The 3 best are Mae Nam, Bohput, and Chaweng. Mae Nam is the cheapest with a a subtle backpacker feel and many long-term travlers rent houses here. Bophut has the most character, with an upmarket boutique feel, but very family-friendly all the same. Chaweng is the hustle and bustle hub of the island, complete with chain restaurants (McDonald’s and Starbucks), happy hours and breakfast cafes.
  • Take a day trip to Ang Thon National Marine Park. — A picturesque setting of limestone cliffs and pristine beaches sprinkled around 40 lush green islands. Book a tour with your hotel or a nearby travel agent. The package should include pick-up from your hotel.
  • Elephant rides can be enjoyed at the Na Muang Elephant Camp. This can be done independently or as a part of a tour to the Na Muang Waterfalls.
  • Sea kayaking and snorkelling are, of course, very popular in Samui. Most dive shops arrange day trips to Koh Tao for dives (and snorkellers can tag along for a reduced fee) but families will probably be happy staying closer to Samui.

Hotels on Koh Samui

Chaweng and Lamai both feature a long string of hotels that differ little from each other (within each price range). I’ve listed 3 hotels here outside of these 2 popular centers.

Luxury

  • Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa — A family friendly hotel with all that you’d expect from a 5 star resort: great food, friendly staff, immaculate grounds and garden, and a stunning swimming pool. The kids club gets raves too.

Moderate

  • World Resort, Bophut — A very friendly mid-range hotel right on the beach, with a nice pool and fantastic buffet breakfasts (included with the room). Good online deals and discounts can often be found through their website.

Budget

  • Maenam Buri Resort — A great place located steps from the beach. A very friendly staff and owner make guests feel at home. A nice restaurant is onsight and several good eateries are just a short walk down the sand.

Getting To Koh Samui by Airplane

The following low cost and major airlines serve Koh Samui:

  • Air Asia — flights to Surat Thani from Bangkok (then ferry to Koh Samui).
  • Thai Airways — flights to Samui from Bangkok.
  • Bangkok Airways — flights to Krabi from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Siem Reap, Cambodia and Hong Kong.
  • Firefly — flights to Samui from Subang (near Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia.

Further Reading:

Bangkok – Transit and Layover Information

Bangkok can be a great destination for travelers — with or without children. I haven’t included the city in my top 5 but it could easily be a favorite stop for many families. (And even if you don’t like Bangkok you’ll probably end up spending a few nights in the capital as most international flights to Thailand arrive here.)

Things to Do in Bangkok

The Bangkok Children’s Discovery Museum,  Major Bowl in the (Central World Shopping Mall), Siam Center Ocean World and the Krungsri Imax Theater (both in Siam Center) are all great ways to avoid Bangkok’s broiling heat.

Dusit Zoo — Not nearly as enchanting as Chiang Mai’s fantastic zoo but still worth a visit, especially if you’d like to stretch your legs after a long international flight.

Tour Bangkok’s backwater canals on a longtail boat (ask your hotel the nearest place to get a boat). Or simply take the Chao Phraya Express boat that runs up and down Bangkok’s main river, making numerous and colorful stops along the way. The best place to catch it is often at the Tha Sathon pier near the Saphan Taksin skytrain station and steps from the Shangra-La Hotel.

Recommended Hotels in Bangkok

I really like the Amari Watergate Hotel for its central location, great restaurants and bakery, big swimming pool with a view of the city, and big discounts off the regular room rate (if you know where to look).

Viengtai Hotel in Khao San is a budget hotel with a large pool and great location.

For a list of recommended hotels read Bangkok: The best hotels for kids and families.

Getting To and From Bangkok International Airport

The new Bangkok airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, handles the majority of flights in and out of Bangkok. The fastest way to get from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok is by the using the airport rail link, opened in August of 2010. The Express Line takes about 15 minutes to get to Makkasan station in central Bangkok and costs 100 baht. The City Line, or local, takes about 30 minutes and stops at Phaya Thai, Ratchaprarop, Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Mak, Thab Chang and Lat Krabang along the way into the city.

Many people take a taxi, which will take longer, but relieves travelers of the need to change money, purchase tickets and board the train. The taxis wait directly outside the arrivals floor. Taxis will usually get into the city in 40 or 45 minutes but this trip can easily take over an hour in the heavy Bangkok traffic.

The old Bangkok airport, Don Muang Airport, is still used by the budget airlines Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines (formerly One To Go Air). Taxis are usually the easiest way into the city. There is also a train station, accessed via an elevated walkway. Trains take about an hour into the city and travel to Bangkok’s Hualamphong train station. Convenient if you’re catching a train out of the city shortly after arrival.

Further Reading:

Hotel Tips

www.HotelsCombined.com – The absolute best for finding deals and discounts. It searches hundreds of other sites and finds the best rate for any given hotel. Simply awesome!

Booking.com – Great for when you already know the hotel you want to stay in. Its very generous cancellation policy is the big perk.

55 Comments

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  1. K.L in Denver

    Any advice for getting to Samui by train? We’re having trouble finding cheap airline tickets down there on the dates we need them.

    Thx, K.L.

    Reply
    • David

      Getting to Samui by train can be a fun trip. It’s best to do an overnight train to Surat Thani. You can buy a combo ticket at pretty much any travel agent in Bangkok that will include the train ticket south and the bus and ferry over to Samui.

      You’ll arrive at Surat Thani in the morning and there will be a bus waiting for you to take you to the ferry terminal. That will take an hour or 2, you’ll have a short wait for the ferry and then the trip across the water will be about 90 minutes. It can all add up to a long trip but it’s usually not too painful.

      Not sure if you’ve looked for flights to Surat Thani or not. That’s another option. Only a few airlines fly to Samui but a flight to Surat Thani will work almost as well. From there it’s much like the train ride, with a bus and ferry over to the island, but of course you won’t have had the potentially tiring overnight train to contend with.

      That said, I find the trip to the airport, going through security, waiting for the flight and the flight itself, just as tiring – perhaps more so – than a fairly relaxing overnight train trip.

      Let me know if you have any more questions.

      Good luck.

      Reply
  2. Lazo

    Any websites that have good deals on hotel rooms in Thailand. Bangkok and Phuket in particular?

    Reply
  3. Damon Baker

    Having worked in Bangkok for a numbers of years we decided to take our two little Aussie girls back there nearly two years ago to see friends. We have access a large bungalow in a complex in Cha-Am which is about 20km north of Hua Hin. Cha-Am has yet been discovered by farang tourists and offers a tranquil, laid-back lifestyle with beaches and plenty of seafood restaurants. The wet market is great to take the little ones around to be mesmerism by everything from live crabs to pig’s heads. Families can rent modern and clean bungalows (like the one we use) cheaply. These complexes will have pools and, of course, as you are staying in a house, you have all the mod cons.

    Another tip for Bangkok – a lot of the department stores have play centers on their toy floors (like Central at Chit Lom and Emporium). For a few dollars you can have the little dears play in these large play areas (with slide, ball rooms, etc, etc) which are supervised by an army of child minders. Just keep some kid’s socks in the day pack in case they require them before entry.

    Reply
    • David

      Great. Thanks for the tips Damon!

      Reply
    • Vitania

      Damon, I am going to be visiting Bangkok for the first time this July. I would love to check out the bungalows you mentioned. Do you still have that contact information by chance. If so can you please post it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Damon Baker

        Hi Vitania. The bungalows (as well as the apartment-style condos) are at http://www.baantalaysamran.com/ Self-contained and good for flop and drop.

        They are mostly privately-owned but obviously people tend to lease them for short stays are they are mostly holiday homes. The website has an on-line reservation system. They are about 5km from the main town of Cha-Am and a 15 minute walk to a nearby village. A small shop and restaurant sits just outside the complex (can arrange transport, etc).

        Reply
        • Vitania

          Thank you for the information. I will be sure to check it out :)

          Reply
  4. Gary from Chicago

    We did Thailand with the kids. Had big plans to go everywhere then my wife and I got bad colds (colds the kids had before we left home) on first days there. Got to Chiang Mai but then didn’t feel like taking our flight south to Phuket thinking we’d rebook for another flight in a day or two, but nothing was available. Spent just about our entire trip up in Chiang Mai and Loved IT! Don’t know what would have happened down south but I suspect it would have been typical beach stuff. As it was, we really got to know the Chiang Mai area and did everything. I mean everything. Fantastic little city and region. Good review there mate.

    Cheers.

    Reply
    • David

      Sounds great. Way to make the best of what could have been a difficult situation.

      Reply
  5. Laura

    Hua Hin is cool spot if you’re looking for a spot with fewer Western tourists. We really enjoyed our 2 weeks there and appreciated the quietude. Phuket is too busy for our tastes.

    Reply
  6. coachhire

    Hi

    Thank for sharing such informative information
    The second most visited place in Thailand is Chiang Mai, a large city in northern Thailand. Only an hour by plane from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is also the home of many western expats who wanted something a little less crazy than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is nestled in a valley between mountains and is one of Thailand’s most beautiful cities. Partly surrounded by an ancient moat and old city walls, Chiang Mai offers world-class restaurants, tiny street stalls serving unbelievable food, five star hotels to no-star guest houses, two of the country’s largest night markets selling traditional Thai products, Doi Suthep temple – one of Thailand’s holiest places – cafes, art galleries, and shopping malls. Chiang Mai is often a little cooler than Bangkok and the air is cleaner. People are also even friendlier and it’s a much slower pace of life. Chiang Mai is my favorite place in Thailand and is hopefully the place …
    Thanks

    Reply
  7. limohire

    Hi

    Stuff To Do in Phuket

    Beaches: There are several popular beaches in Phuket which are really crowded. But it is not very difficult to find a quiet stretch of sand around the region. Snorkeling – Snorkeling is a very famous outdoor activity in Phuket. There are several companies that will set you up with equipment and trips. Dino Park Mini Golf – It is very trendy mini golf course, which is love by kids and young adults.

    Thanks

    Reply
  8. Michael

    Siam Spa provides a large number of services from their own luxurious spa inside Chiang Mai. Their beauty therapies is going to take away the years rejuvenate the soul, and their masseuses supply probably the most relaxing Thai massage in Chiang Mai. For those of you thinking about establishing a spa business, Siam Spa furthermore welcomes you to come and speak to a spa specialist concerning the very best routes for success. In addition to this, their range of spa products and solutions allows visitors to continue being healthy and beautiful at home. http://www.chiangmai-spa.com

    Thai cooking Class inside Chiang mai as well as Tubtim as well as Tuk will definitely learn anyone, the best way to make the classic Thai taste and will welcome you in his familys residential, to teach you all the particular Secrets of the Thai Cookingbook. The best cookery school in Chiang mai and the most advantageous Thai cooking classes in Chiang Mai. Here you will learn secrets and techniques passed down from one generation to another
    http://www.chiangmaicookery.com

    Hostel Chiang Mai – Youth hotel Chiang Mai http://www.chiangmailearning.com

    Reply
  9. Shawn

    We will be in Thailand (Ko Samui maybe but not exactly sure where we want to go)for a week in December and have been looking at hotels. I have been having difficulties finding a hotel that would accomodate 2 adults and 2 children (8yo and 9yo) without having to book 2 rooms. Is this what you have found as well?? Perhaps I am doing something wrong in my search.

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Shawn. It wasn’t a problem for us (mind you, our kids were a little younger.)

      World Resort in Bophut definitely has larger family rooms – and it’s very inexpensive. (And has the best breakfasts I had in all my time in Thailand.)

      Use this link for the best rates: World Resort on Koh Samui

      Good luck.

      Reply
  10. Abby

    I am going to Bangkok with family 5yo and 7yo and of course my wife, in July not sure where to go from there since its Monsoon there, Also i have a short trip planned so want to have the most of it.
    Phuket is one i think but worried about monsoon, where else,
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • David

      July is not the best month for weather in Thailand but with some luck most days will have some sunshine. It could certainly go either way. 5 days at the beach could easily see 3 or 4 days of rain, or 5 days of sunshine. I would recommend the east coast — probably Ko Samui as it has an airport and a flight from Bangkok would be a lot better than a train or bus when you’re tight on time. Definitely avoid Koh Chang as it gets hit hard by the monsoon (but is tempting as it’s so close to Bangkok.) Check out this page for info on weather in Thailand in July: http://www.travelfish.org/weather/thailand/july

      Good luck.

      Reply
  11. Greg, UK

    We’re heading out to Thailand in November and wondering what destinations would be best accomodating and interesting for us and our 12 month old? Thoughts and ideas welcome, cheers!

    Reply
    • David

      I’d do Railay on the west coast. It’s easy to get to from Krabi as long (as you’re ok doing a 20 minute ride on a long tail boat from Ao Nang). It’s also very compact and easy to get around for a family with a 1 year old.

      Reply
    • Damon Baker

      I agree that Railay is a good place and ideal for the flop and drop. Just make sure you take all the required toddler necessities (like nappies) that you would be lugging around with you anyway to last the stay.

      Reply
      • Greg, UK

        Thanks for recommendations,

        Railay sounds like a great recommendation from the quick overview reading. A 20 min long tail boat ride is absolutely fine – I’m sure junior will enjoy that :)

        Dave, Damon – I’m guessing you guys have visited Railay before, right? Any recommendations for family-friendly places to stay? Any particular activities that aren’t already listed on the tourism sites?

        Also, any other distinations still welcome…

        Reply
  12. Danielle

    Hi David. Thanks for all your great info – on the back of your expertise I am diving in and arranging a two week trip to Thailand with my eight year old son for Easter, 2012. Ideally would like to spend first night in Bangkok, then travel by overnight train to Chaing Mai for five nights doing lots of activities and sight seeing. Then spend remainder of the holiday on an island chilling / kayaking / snorkelling. I’m undecided as to which island to spend the latter part of the holiday in. I fancy Railay in Krabi but am conscious that with all the travelling I may be over-stretching my son. What would you recommend?

    Reply
    • David

      It’s not that bad getting to Railay. Hard enough to keep the package tourists away but not so bad as to deter you and your son. If you book early you should be able to get a cheap flight to Krabi from Bangkok on Air Asia. From there it’s about an hour to Ao Nang and then a half-hour boat ride across to the little town. It’s actually much easier than going to Samui through the cheaper Surat Thani airport. (Though, of course, flying directly to Samui is easy, but flight prices are often pricey to the island.) Hua Hin is about a half-day train ride from Bangkok and is another good option. Good luck.

      Reply
  13. Claudia From Denmark

    My husband and I are planning our vacation to Thailand, we have 3 kids, 2 1/2, 6 and 8. We would like to have some time in the beach, and my kids would realy love to try the elephant rides, but we dont want to be moving inside Thailand to much, would you recomend us where to go? our trip can be anytime between October and February…
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • David

      Phuket, Koh Samui, and Hua Hin are all good places to ride elephants – and all have great beaches.

      Reply
  14. Thristhan

    I’ve only been to Bangkok and Pattaya to date. Will surely consider this list and visit the other interesting parts of Thailand. Thanks for sharing David.

    Reply
  15. manisha

    hi
    me and my husband is planning a trip to thailand in feb 2012 and we planning for 12 days tour which will start from Bangkok then Pataya and then Krabi. Kindly suggest the best and cheap way to travel from each one of the places and good beaches in and around Krabi .

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Manisha. There are no direct flights between Pattaya and Krabi, but you can fly from Pattaya to Phuket or Pattaya to Koh Samui. From Phuket you could take a boat to Koh Phi Phi and then onto Krabi, charter a boat direct to Krabi, or take the bus. The best beaches in the Krabi region are at Railay which is about 30 minutes from the airport and then a 30 minute boat ride from there. There are many direct flights from Krabi to Bangkok. The best way from Bangkok to Pattaya is either bus or taxi. Don’t bother taking a flight from Bangkok to Pattaya as the airport in Pattaya is far out of town, so you would need to pay for a taxi to the Bangkok airport, buy the airline ticket to Pattaya, then pay for a taxi ride into town from the Pattaya airport. It’s much cheaper and easier to just get a taxi (or bus) directly to Pattaya from Bangkok. Good luck.

      Reply
  16. GotPassport

    Good list complied for Chiang Mai. We live here and the only place we would recommend is the Elephant Nature Park where elephants are rescued and nurtured rather than put to work to perform for an audience. http://www.facebook.com/TheElephantNaturePark They also accept volunteers.

    If anyone is looking for long-term volunteer jobs in Chiang Mai, please contact us and we will do our best to connect you to the organizations.

    Thanks for including our post on The Cost of Living in Chiang Mai.

    Cheers!

    Reply
  17. Anja

    Hi David, thanks for all that great info. We are travelling with our 3 kids ages 9 , 7 and 3 in November till early January to Thailand, we wanted to backpack through it. Is there an itinerary you could recommend for those 8 weeks? Do we have to book anywhere already in advance? I have never been there, although I travelled and backpacked a lot, before having kids. What would you recommend as a round tour, which is a combination of travelling and relaxing, where there is enough time for the kids as well to play etc not to overwhelm them. With gratitude, Anja

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Anja. 8 weeks in Thailand. Awesome. Sounds like fun.

      I imagine you’ll start your trip in Bangkok so spend a week there as you’ll find lots to do in the city: the zoo, the palaces, boat trips on the rivers and canals, floating markets, and a couple other very kid-friendly attractions. Do side trips for 2 or 3 days each to Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi. (Ayuthaya can also be done as a day trip from Bangkok.) You’ve got to do an overnight train trip while in Thailand (the kids will love it) so take the overnight train (with a sleeping compartment) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Plan to spend a week or 10 days in the area doing some hikes, ride some elephants, and get out to some of the smaller villages for a night or 2. Then fly direct from Chiang Mai to either Koh Samui (Bangkok Airways), Phuket (Air Asia), or Krabi (you’ll probably have to go back through Bangkok). Spend 2 or 3 weeks on each coast being sure to visit Railay and Koh Lanta on the west coast and Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan on the east coast (Koh Tao if you want to do some scuba diving). Then take the train or fly back to Bangkok. (If you still have some time and wanted to visit an island closer to Bangkok then check out Koh Samet.) It’s amazing, but even with a good chunk of time like you have there are still whole sections of the country you’ll have to skip and visit on your next trip – so it goes. Good luck.

      Reply
  18. manisha

    thnx David for such a helpfull information.

    Reply
  19. manisha

    hi david,
    As i will be leaving for thailand in mid feb for my honeymoon, can u suggest some the best places or beaches to visit for couples in bangkok, krabi and pataya

    Reply
  20. Vineet

    Hi David,

    We are planning a trip to thialand from 2-8 Dec’11 with our 2 kids 5 & 8yr.

    Would be grateful if you could suggest places to visit and must do things.

    Brgds

    Reply
    • David

      Time will of course be an issue you for you. I would spend 2 days in Bangkok as there’s lots to see there and then take flight to either Krabi or Koh Samui. Both should have good weather in December so base your decision primarily on the availability and cost of flights. If you don’t want to fly then take the train to Hua Hin or the bus and ferry to Koh Samet. Good luck.

      Reply
  21. Tom Star

    Hi David,

    There is so much informaition to take in, which makes it harder to decide on where to go in Thailand.
    My wife, myself and 2 sons (5yr and 2 yr old) are planning a visit to Thailand either end of this year or beginning of 2012 (Jan) as we have to be back before Feb 2012 as our 5yr old starts school.
    So my question is…..Where do we go within Thailand to enjoy the great scenery, swimming, elephant rides/treks, great thai food, good accomodation, avoid the busy hussle bussle of big touristy spots, although have access to great markets and shopping ?
    Our objective is to come back to Australia and say “We had an awsome time and experienced the best of thailand !! ”
    We are happy to split the trip into 2 segments as we’d like to do a 7 day trip as minimum and hopefully fit in a kickboxing match as myself and my eldest son are into martial arts. We realise it’s hard to relax and enjoy a holiday ‘doing nothing’ when you have children, so we’d like to try and sort of relax for 1 day at a resort and then do some of the above mentioned for the remainder of the time we will be there.
    Appreciate your feedback !

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Tom. I’d spend a few days in Bangkok (lots to see there), take the overnight train to Chiang Mai and spend 5 days up there doing elephant rides, and hikes, and seeing small villages. Then fly to Krabi (you might have to go through Phuket) and relax on the fantastic beaches of Railay. If Chiang Mai is too much and too far then Kanchanaburi is a good substitute and just a few hours by train from Bangkok. Good luck.

      Reply
  22. arash

    Hi David, thanks for all that great info. Could you tell me which cities are the best for October ,we are three single boys and we are looking to have fun.
    thanks a lot

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Arash. Depends what you’re looking for of course, Bangkok and Chiang Mai are usually great this time of year, but right now the floods are making things difficult to get around the country. I’d probably head south to Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, or Krabi. Good luck.

      Reply
  23. Megan

    Hi David
    We are heading to Phuket in February for 4 nights (2 families both with a young child each) and are considering Karon or Kata beach as would like to do some day trips but also have some quiet swimming/napping times etc.Can you suggest any family friendly hotels in the $150 AUD or under price range that are minimal walk to beach & convenient to basic restaurants etc.Our travel agent has quoted on Centara Karon Beach Resort or Horizon Resort.

    Reply
  24. Anna Salameh

    I was planning to go to Chiang Mai in November, but unfortunately had to cancel. The only time I can go again with my children is around April 6th for 10 days. Am so worried about the weather in April as when I search Chiang Mai in April, all advise is not to go because too hot to bare. I live in Beirut and it does get hot here, but is the heat in Thailand unbearable in April??? I want to stay at Anantara Golden Triangle. In April, what part of Thailand has the best weather? Do you think it’s ok to go beginning of April? Thanks in advance for your advice…
    Anna

    Reply
    • David

      Yes, it will be hot in Chiang Mai in April. Both coasts should have great weather (though hot too) in April so I would head south.

      Reply
  25. Mark – ramblecrunch

    David, I agree with you… Chiang Mai is a great place to bring your kids. The Thai people love children. We took our daughter there when she was 5. Now she’s a fanatical eater of kao phat gui and other Thai delicacies. Chiang Mai is one of our favorite places. I could live there full-time. Only my daughter did fall asleep on the elephant ride.

    Reply
  26. Diana Beauty

    Hi David,

    Thank you for the information you have shared.
    Me and my family are about to visit Thailand in this coming Chinese New Year (January 2012).
    But I’m a little confused about where to go; whether it’s Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket.
    My dad is 55 years old and mom’s 48. They’re not really the adventure type.
    However, me and my sister are the exact opposite of my parents.
    Can you please kindly recommend me which place to go that could probably suit us?
    Thank you so much David.

    Reply
    • David

      I think any of those places would be good for someone that wanted to relax and not do terribly adventurous things, and for someone looking to be more active. Phuket is the most westernized of the 3. Chiang Mai offers the most outdoor activities. Bangkok is a big bustling city that can keep you very busy for a week or more. I know that’s not much of an answer, but I’d be surprised if you didn’t have a great time. Good luck.

      Reply
  27. Cesar

    Dave.

    Excellent tips. We followed many of them and spent two wonderful weeks in Thailand with my two kids (5 and 3 years old) and my wife. We went to Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

    In Bangkok, we stayed at the Anantara Riverside (old Marriot) which is not a good value for money, it is far from downtown and is somehow old style. Reclining Buddah temple was great for the kids, is a quick visit and they enjoy it. One tip for Bangkok is the aquarium at the Siam Paragon shopping mall. It is quite expensive ($100 for the 4 of us) but really worths the money.

    Chiang Mai was fabolous. We stayed at the Chedi, as you recommended. Wonderful stay, we found great deal on the room with Sawadee, again following your recommendation. One additional tip is the Tiger Kingdom, where kids can actually play with baby tigers and the conditions of the animals are great. We did not go to Maesa Elephant camp, we went to Maetman, which was terrific as well. The plan include Oax cart riding and going through the river in bamboo rafting, great experience for kids.

    Samui was very good, while we did not explore the island too much, the hotel we found (Melati) was a great deal for the money. Family pool villa for US$80 a night with private beach and good family infrastructure. It is a bit away from Chaweng, but we did not need to leave the hotel much.

    Thanks for keeping this great blog alive…. it really makes a difference!!

    Reply
  28. Claire

    Hi David
    We have just confirmed flights to Bangkok from 11th Aug for 2 weeks (unfortunately very restricted to Aug school holidays!) traveling myself husband and 3 children 16,13 & 7. My plan was to stay in BKK for 3 nts and then fly down to Krabi £35 PP oneway (bargain!) then 8nts there. Although I am now concerned about the weather and if this is the best place to stay. We wanted to go over to Maya bay (obviously due to the film “the Beach”) but again wondering if there will be enough in Krabi to keep us occupied for 8 days. We definitely want to do an overnight 2nd class train trip back up to Bkk and stay for another 2nts before returning home. Can you reassure me about the different areas regarding the weather and places to go/stay with teenagers.
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Claire. Not sure what part of Krabi you’ll be staying – is it Krabi town or out in one of the resorts, or Ko Lanta or Ko Phi Phi? I think you’ll find lots to do if you’re so inclined, if you’re staying on an island, or say, in Railay or Ao Nang. If your kids are like my kids, as long as they have a pool they should have fun. The weather is definitely an uncertainty in August (good overview on Krabi weather here: http://www.1stopkrabi.com/about_krabi/weather_seasons) – it can be nice in August, it can be rainy – you’ll probably get a bit of both. In all my trips there though, the weather has never been so bad as to not have fun. Rain one day, sun the next – you’ll usually always get some of both this time of year. So I guess the best advice is just be prepared. Be ready to have some rainy days, and don’t let an overcast morning make you feel like your trip’s ruined. The weather can often change quickly and most days will see at least a little sun. Not sure if that helps at all but that’s my advice. Good luck.

      Reply
  29. Leighan

    Hi There and thanks for the wonderful info. I have two questions. We are travelling to Kho Samui in Feb with our 13 month old daugther. Regarding driving and car seats – will we be able to hire a car seat with the car hire? If not and we travel by taxi, is it ok to travel with the baby in a sling in the taxi? Are there any laws we need to be aware of with toddlers and hiring cars? (i am guessing there aren’t?)

    Also, we are looking at perhaps a day trip to one of the islands, I am a bit concerned about travelling on a boat with my toddler…should I be? Do the boats carry toddler life jackets etc? Or is there another, safer way of getting to the islands? Is there an island you recommend visiting or any boat companies u can recomend? we like snorkeling…

    Thanks, Leighan

    Thanks for your help.

    Reply
    • David

      For car seats and the like, no, there are no laws (or none enforced anyways) so it’s just what you feel comfortable with. Finding a car with a working seat belt can sometimes be an issue. Often back seats won’t have seat belts at all. I would not expect to find a boat that had toddler life jackets. Perhaps in the most touristy areas and with boats that deal solely with travelers (say, a charter tour company) it might happen. When the monsoon hits the seas can get very rough and boats do go over, but in February you should get calm seas where ever you are. I hope that helps.

      Reply
  30. Karen

    Hi David,

    We are planing a trip to Thailand maybe february or march for 1 week. We have two kids (4 and 2 years old) but we don’t know where to go, it’s Phuket or Krabi. Which one do you recommend?? We want to do the elephant rides, I’ve heard about the baby tigers. Maybe take a boat to Phi Phi island. But still don’t know where and which hotels. Do you have any suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Karen

    Reply
    • David

      Hi Karen. It probably sounds a bit more like Phuket to me. You could also fly into Phuket, go to Phi Phi, and then boat to Krabi and home, though that might be a bit too rushed.

      http://hotelscombined.com/Phuket is the best site for finding hotels. Good luck.

      Reply

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