Travel Thailand with kids
Draw inspiration from our itinerary for a family vacation in Thailand
It takes a lifetime to visit it all, we have been to Thailand with family many times and we have always been fascinated first of all by the vastness of the family friendly proposals. Let’s go in order and start from the capital.
Bangkok is a truly huge city and you will realize it by moving from one side of the city to the other. But it is a city so full of life, perfumes and colors that it will conquer you with its beauty, its frenetic rhythms and everything it has to offer and see.
In this digression on family-friendly Thailand, I will try to be as concise and exhaustive as possible
Thailand with Family: temples of the reclining Buddha, emerald Buddha and Royal Palace I always recommend visiting these wonderful temples in the first few days when your “batteries” are still fully charged and you are not too tired from the heat and humidity. Wat Pho is the temple of the reclining Buddha, 46 meters long and covered in gold. Wat Phra Kaew is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in the whole country and is located in the extraordinary area of the Grand Royal Palace.
Thailand with Family: a leap to Chinatown It’s time to immerse yourself in one of the most chaotic and fascinating neighborhoods in all of Bangkok, which one? Chinatown of course. Here the only advice I have to give you is to get lost in its streets. The right place to start the visit to Chinatown is the Tha Ratchawong Pier.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market For me another must-visit for a trip to Thailand with family is the well-known Damnoen Saduak floating market, located outside the city, 110 km west of Bangkok, a suggestive and unique place where you sail along the canals of an area of Bangkok not yet reclaimed and glimpsed the simple life of the people living in the stilt houses. Once there, you have the opportunity to sail along the canals with local boats and, at each “block”, you find the ladies in the boats who come to the fruit, vegetables and crafts. A very colorful, noisy place full of contrasting smells.
Mae Klong Market Also known as the railway market, it is one of the most surreal markets you can find in the world. Why? Perhaps because a train passes through it six times a day and crosses the entire market, surely now you understand why it is known as the railway market of the Thai capital.
The reason why the Mae Klong market is located on the train tracks is only because the market existed before the railway lines began to be built in the city of Bangkok. What surprises is that the sellers instead of changing the market place, they decided to remain in the same place, knowing that they would have had to collect all their things, before the train passed and took away everything. This remains certainly a very significant stage for your trip to Thailand with family
Chiang Mai
Known as the digital nomad paradise in Thailand, it’s not on a remote island but rather much further north in the city of Chiang Mai.
Looking at a map, what immediately catches the eye is the shape of the Old Town of Chiang Mai: a well-defined square enclosed by old walls. We suggest you spend the first hours in the city wandering aimlessly, getting lost in alleys and main streets, and letting your instincts guide you. It won’t be hard to notice the vast number of temples that populate this area.
Among the most famous, we recommend Wat Chedi Luang: beautiful, marvelous! We could spend an entire day photographing it from every angle. Besides being simply fantastic, this temple is also the right place to spot monks. It’s not uncommon to find them chatting with tourists, and they usually do so gladly, but remember that women cannot touch them or pass anything directly to them.
Unmissable is the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, located on the mountaintop.
At night, dive into the Chiang Mai night market; it’s enormous and sells everything imaginable. There are various spaces dedicated to food both inside and around it, making your family trip to Thailand truly unique.
Chiang Rai
As the capital of its namesake province and one of the most charming and stimulating tourist cities in all of Thailand, Chiang Rai is strategically located in the northern part of the country, thanks to the Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai airport. It serves as an excellent base for exploring various areas of northern Thailand with the whole family, avoiding staying only in the capital or in the most touristy locations.
One of its most interesting points, in terms of landscape, is the Golden Triangle, an area where the Mekong and Ruak rivers meet. There are many rivers flowing in the mountains, with Kok being the main one.
Among the must-see attractions in Chiang Rai are two very important Thai monuments: the first is the Monument of King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Rai, located along the road to Mae Chan, and the second is the beautiful Stupa of King Mengrai, near Wat Ngam Mueang, situated on the panoramic hill of Doi Ngam Mueang.
Khun Nam Nang Non, or the “Sleeping Maiden Lake,” is another highly popular destination among tourists. The lake owes its name to the shape of a rock resembling the body of a reclining girl. A trip we recommend to the most curious travelers is to the so-called “Golden Triangle,” marking the ideal meeting point between the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as the river confluence between the Mekong and one of its tributaries, the Ruak.
Monument of King Mengrai; if you want to honor the local culture, this should be the first stop of your journey: honoring King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Rai, is an act of respect for the town’s inhabitants.
Sea, yes thanks! Choosing where to go to the beach in Thailand with your family isn’t easy. With over 500 islands, the queen of Southeast Asia offers an embarrassment of choices for lovers of sun and crystal-clear waters. To help you, we’ve tried to select some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand, perfect for families. Enjoy!
Phuket: The West in Thailand
It’s the largest island in Thailand and has undergone continuous development with extensive exploitation of the land, particularly in the Patong area, which has taken on truly overwhelming dimensions.
Those seeking a quieter destination would do well to look elsewhere, although armed with patience and braving the crowds drawn by trendy locals and the sex trade, miles of sandy coastline await exploration or enjoyment in luxury resorts close to nature. This is the least authentic and most touristy part of Thailand, but still an excellent starting point if visiting Thailand with family and unwilling to forego any comforts.
The monsoon season makes the west-facing area challenging due to prevailing currents, but during the same period, a visit to the Royal Natural Park of Khao Phra Thaew is recommended, where the rains rejuvenate the stunning waterfalls of Toi Sang and Bang Pae deep in the jungle.
Peace reigns on the northwest coast, where every year on the long beach of Hat Mai Khao, sea turtles come to lay their eggs; a unique experience ideal for the whole family. Another compelling reason to include Phuket on your itinerary is for diving, an activity for which the island is renowned for its sites, equipped centers, and three hyperbaric chambers.
Phi Phi Island and Phi Phi Leh, the Pearls of the Andaman
After the tsunami, the island quickly recovered, swiftly rebuilding its accommodation facilities. Those who love peace, upon disembarking on Phi Phi Island, will immediately want to escape the noisy Tourist Village that greets them beyond the pier, feeling like a noisy bazaar of bars, shops, and agencies that seem like a trap for novice travelers.
However, an escape route exists; just load up and travel a bit further where Spartan bungalows and a bar frequented by those with the same need will become the only known world to live in barefoot.
Koh Chang Archipelago: An Universe to Discover
It has a recent experience with tourism, but word is spreading, and the Koh Chang archipelago, composed of over fifty islands just a few miles from Cambodia, seems to have all the ingredients for a discovery-filled vacation. Being a protected park serves as a defensive barrier against overdevelopment and preserves the power of nature between the coral reef and a mountain range reminiscent of an elephant’s back. Personally, we find it perfect for a family wanting to experience the more authentic beaches of Thailand.
The island that gives its name to the archipelago is the second largest in Thailand in terms of size and is enveloped in virgin rainforest for much of its surface. Within the group is also Koh Mak, a well-kept secret with its white sand beaches lined with palm trees and fishing villages where one can dive, snorkel, and relax.
Koh Tarutao National Marine Park: Where Turtles Are Born
The archipelago of emerged coral islands in the southwestern tip of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, is inhabited by the Chao Lee people, sea gypsies, and is the perfect destination for snorkeling enthusiasts. Nature is triumphant, protected first and foremost by the Thai government.
The island of Tarutao, which lends its name to the marine park, was for years an exile for prisoners and convicts. Today, it is particularly evocative and mysterious due to the caves where pirates once hid treasures and its incredible fauna. In addition to many species of reptiles, birds, monkeys, and insects, what attracts travelers to this paradise rock are the sea turtles that come here to lay their eggs.
Koh Samui Where Every Wish Is a Command
It is the third largest island in Thailand and dominates an archipelago of eighty islands in the Gulf of Thailand, including prominent islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Over the past 20 years, tourism has made it one of the main destinations, and an airport connects it to Bangkok with daily flights, making it an easy and pleasant stop for your family trip to Thailand.
In addition to its consistent climate that makes it attractive all year round, the friendliness of the locals, and a varied cuisine of fish, crabs, and lots of coconut, the island satisfies even the most demanding visitors with modern facilities. It offers entertainment, bars, and shops, and all kinds of water sports for those who simply can’t relax and usually congregate around Chaweng and Lamai beaches. Yet it also manages to maintain spaces of pristine beauty in the rainforest and mountains.
In addition to its stunning white beaches and emerald sea, Samui boasts waterfalls to swim under and is also close to the Ang Thong Marine National Park, an explosion of 40 granite islands and tropical scrub.
Full Moon at Koh Phangan
Wild, untamed, and undisciplined compared to its elder sister Koh Samui, Koh Phangan is a pilgrimage site for backpackers obedient to the call of the moon, which marks the months with full moon parties, the world’s largest beach parties where cheap alcohol flows, dancing on the sand, celebrating the full moon cycle, and at dawn, collapsing into a hammock or a ramshackle bungalow.
Koh Phangan’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate the crowds that descend on Hat Rin beach for the full moon party while maintaining an informal and wild atmosphere.
Paradise Diving at Koh Tao
It’s a 21 km rock of bright green, and its slightly more secluded position compared to Samui gives it greater tranquility. Its tourism is mainly linked to diving, and its easily navigable reefs are perfect even for beginners. Therefore, infrastructure is not lacking, but it maintains a pleasant simplicity.
Follow the most instagrammable spot in Thailand
TRAIN MARKET Not exactly the epitome of safety, but a great video as the train passes by and the locals rush to the edges is definitely not something to miss.
FLOWER MARKET It’s a super colorful attraction in Bangkok. Located on the outskirts of Chinatown, it’s definitely a perfect location to add to the family vacation album in Thailand.
BANGKOK SKYLINE The locals on the highest rooftops of Bangkok give you the opportunity to capture the most stunning views and enjoy a bit of the high life.
DRAGON TEMPLE AT WAT SAMPHRAN COOKING CLASS IN CHIANG MAI