No matter how you like to travel, or where you go, you’ll find something unique and exciting on a family holiday to Thailand. Expect an overload on the senses, in the best way possible, with an eclectic mix of glistening temples, colourful cities, idyllic beaches and delicious Thai food. Adults and children both leave feeling relaxed and well-looked after thanks to the fantastic levels of service.
To learn more about a luxury family holiday in Thailand, keep reading for the best places to visit, family-friendly accommodations and things to do.
Is Thailand good for family holidays?
Thailand is made for family holidays. From the way Thai culture embraces children, even in the smartest hotels, to the toddler-friendly sandy beaches. There is enough to entertain teens and tweens, whether they are looking for adventure or have an interest in culture. The food is amazing, not too spicy for children, plus you’ve got some of the best hotels in the world, with good kids’ clubs. Logistically, to get to the various destinations within Thailand, you will have to change planes, usually in Bangkok, or take internal flights. But there are good flight options to Bangkok from the UK.
Best Places to Visit in Thailand With Kids
Whether you want a relaxing beach holiday, or something a little bit more adventurous, we know the best places to visit Thailand with kids that fit your family perfectly.
Bangkok
The cultural centre of Thailand, and likely to be where you’ll fly into, Bangkok is a bustling cosmopolitan capital with much more on offer than incredible street food and endless glistening temples (although both are a wonder to behold). It’s home to culture and history alongside luxury hotels, colourful floating markets, old-world architecture in Chinatown, riverboat cruises and thrilling tuk-tuk tours. Bangkok can be overwhelming, so is best for older, outgoing children who enjoy high-energy experiences.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a blend of cultural richness and natural beauty, providing families with a serene retreat amidst historic temples and lush landscapes. From here, it’s easy to access national parks to go hiking to the hill tribes, plunge into waterfalls, go kayaking or visit an elephant sanctuary. While it’s a hotspot for active families, there’s also lots for those on a family holiday to Thailand who prefer culture, like listening to the meditative power of monks chanting on tours of the temples or taking a cooking class, for example.
Golden Triangle
Surrounded by misty mountains and the winding Mekong River is the Golden Triangle, so called because it is where Laos and Myanmar meet with Thailand. This breathtaking landscape captivates families with emerald-green hills and traditional villages. Beyond the mesmerising scenery are enriching experiences like exploring local tribe cultures, learning about the Mahouts and their relationship with the elephants, taking boat trips down the river, hiking among tea plantations and bamboo forests, or wandering around stunning temples in Chiang Rai.
Phuket
Phuket is lucky enough to have over thirty different coves and beaches all of which are picture-perfect. Choosing where to go will mainly depend on what it is you’re looking for from your hotel, which are some of the best family resorts in Thailand. Phuket is mostly about sun, sea, and sand, but there are lots of activities to keep you busy too. Snorkelling and diving are particularly good on Thailand’s west coast beaches. Plus, there are trips to an elephant or turtle sanctuary, and older kids will love the buzz of Phuket Old Town.
Krabi
On the mainland, just opposite Phuket is Krabi, a beautiful, unspoilt stretch of Thailand. Less built up than Phuket, Krabi is a bit more about barefoot luxury, surrounded by jungle and limestone karsts. It’s within a marine reserve, so the flora, fauna and wildlife are colourful and thriving, and can be seen from mountain walks or kayaks. Krabi is a good option for families with younger kids, as you can fly into Krabi Airport which makes it easily accessible from other parts of Thailand, plus the lovely gently shelving beaches are a playground for toddlers.
Koh Lanta
More remote than some of the other beaches in Thailand, you have to take a boat transfer from Phuket to reach Koh Lanta, making it better for families with older kids. Once you’re on the island, you’re rewarded with pristine, unspoilt beaches, spectacular fresh seafood, whizzy moped rides around the island and sunsets that melt into the horizon. Koh Lanta didn’t have electricity until 1996, and while it does now have some upmarket hotels, it’s the kind of place you go to escape reality and feel like you’re on a desert island. That said, a fair amount is going on in this sleepy paradise too, from island hopping by boat, kayaking, and exploring caves, to cooking and martial arts classes.
Koh Samui
On the east coast of Thailand is Koh Samui, a place that really has it all for a family holiday to Thailand, particularly for those with young children. You’ve got some of the world’s best resorts, spas and Michelin-star restaurants that sit alongside the more (purposefully) rustic beach shacks. It’s a particularly good destination for first-time visitors to Thailand and nervous travellers as you have world-class hotels with childcare, lots of home comforts (including a Boots), and can relax in the knowledge that you’ll be well looked after. Aside from sipping cocktails by the cerulean sea, Koh Samui is known for its yoga, plus there are boat trips to uninhabited islands and snorkelling trips. The weather in Koh Samui is best between February and September.
Things to Do in Thailand With Kids
At Scott Dunn we are specialists in bringing family holidays in Thailand to life, using a range of unique experiences that go beyond the obvious. Think of aromatic local markets, that perfect out-of-the-way restaurant serving the best Pad Thai, spending a day at an elephant sanctuary, walking through tribal villages - the list of experiences is endless. We use the best possible private guides who showcase the finest parts of Thailand, tailor-made for your family.
Visit the Beautiful Beaches
Nestled in the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean, Thailand is a mecca for divers, snorkellers and water babies. Hop from island to island in a glass bottom boat stopping for picnics on secluded beaches. You can’t go wrong whether you pick the east or west coast beaches, where you’ll find calm, shallow seas, which are perfect for new swimmers. Head to Phuket or Koh Samui with your youngest kids for top resorts with amazing kids’ clubs, while Koh Lanta is less developed, giving off desert island vibes that older kids will find thrilling.
Explore Incredible Temples
Aside from the gorgeous coastlines, you’ve got a multitude of beautiful world-famous temples like Wat Rong Khun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun. Many have fortune-telling areas, which is an especially fun hands-on experience for children.
Shopping at the Local Markets
Cities like Bangkok have bustling markets where your kids will love bartering with local shop owners, as well as a multitude of shopping malls (great for tweens and teens) with every store imaginable. Make sure to zip around the city in a tuk-tuk, this is sure to be a highlight of your adventure in Thailand with kids.
Wildlife Encounters
You can’t visit Thailand without encountering elephants. Special camps in the north and south of the country have fantastic educational programs that specialise in elephant conservation, where your family can feed, wash and trek with adorable elephants.
Outdoor Adventures
With so many national parks, there’s a diverse range of interesting activities for adventure-seeking kids - cycle through side streets and rice paddies, sample street food, trek through jungles, canoe through mangroves and raft down rivers. There’s never a dull moment for active families in Thailand.
“My top tip if you are really looking for something special, go to the Golden Triangle. Set within lush hills, you can truly immerse yourselves into the surrounding nature for a once-in-a-lifetime experience walking with the elephants.” Ella Thomas – Travel Specialist, Asia.
