Thailand with kids
An expert guide to family-friendly Thailand travel
If you’re thinking about visiting Thailand with the kids, you probably already have some preconceptions in mind.
You’ll be familiar with the country’s well-known tourism hotspots; Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the more famous islands and beaches. And then there’s the party scene – the last time you came here was for a full moon party in your 20’s… Is there a family-friendly side to Thailand too? Well I've been living in and writing about travel in Thailand since 2011, and I can tell you the answer is a resounding yes!
Now is a great time to bring the family to Thailand. The country has been working hard to shed its reputation as a backpacker party hub, and reinvent itself as a family-friendly travel destination. It's a wonderful place to visit for all ages and with great transport, escaping the crowds can be easy and fun – even with kids in tow.
But with beautiful beaches to buzzing cities; from nature reserves to culture and sport; from relaxing by a pool to experiencing a jungle adventure... just where do you start? You start right here: with my expert guide to visiting Thailand with kids. Happy travels!
Thailand with kids: At a glance
Underrated: There is so much more to the country that doesn't make the standard "top 10" lists and travel brochures and Thailand is an easy place to get the kids off the beaten path. Seek out some of the lesser-known family-friendly beaches and islands and add some of these hidden gem cities to the usual Bangkok and Chiang Mai itineraries.
Overrated: Irresponsible wildlife tourism is still a problem in parts of Thailand. Anything that involves direct contact with a wild animal (including riding an elephant) is best avoided.
When to go: You can visit year-round, but I’d avoid the February to April burning season in the north. The overall best weather is November to April.
What to do in Thailand with kids
Popular – and some lesser-known – places to visit in Thailand with the family
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Beach time in Khao Lak
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Temples & markets in Chiang Mai
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Kid-friendly Bangkok
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Family-friendly island escape
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Wet and wild at Songkran
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See rescued elephants (ethically)
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Day trip to Ayutthaya
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Kid-friendly Krabi
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Nature hikes in Khao Sok
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Island hopping, family style
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History lessons in Kanchanaburi
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Explore ruins by bike
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Loy Krathong & Yi Peng festivals
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Explore the temples of Chiang Rai
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Road trip down the Prachuap coastline
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Get off the beaten path in Loei
featured trips
Where to go in Thailand with kids
Some popular, and lesser-known, places to visit in Thailand with the family
Khao Lak
Khao Lak
On Thailand's southwest coast north of Phuket, Khao Lak has just the right balance of quietude and action for kids and young families. The area covers several miles-long expanses of soft sand rimmed by terrific family resorts and restaurants offering Western and Thai menus.
Nightlife is minimal, but a good night market and many boutiques keep the after-dark scene lively enough for most families. Unlike some of Thailand's busier beach towns, the mood is kid-friendly: very laid-back with a jungle-backed landscape that is dotted with coconut farms.
The 2004 Asian tsunami hit Khao Lak hard and museums and memorials are dedicated to the roughly 3,000 people who died locally in the tragedy. Khao Lak now has several tsunami shelters and an early warning system in place.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Home to at least one million people, Thailand's second city straddles the Ping River valley in the scenic north of Thailand. The city is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations. There are hundreds of guesthouses, hotels, travel offices and eateries in the highly walkable, square-shaped historic district that is rimmed by some of the original city walls.
Chiang Mai is known for its various markets, particularly the Night Bazaar and the Sunday walking market in the historic centre.
There are a variety of elephant sanctuaries in the surrounding region, the best of which is Elephant Nature Park.
An important note if you're visiting Thailand with kids: March to May can be oppressively hot. This overlaps with "smoky season" between February and April, when farmers in the surrounding countryside burn their rice stubble causing some of the worst air pollution anywhere on earth. This can be a challenging time to visit, but especially for kids or anyone with asthma. If you're visiting Thailand with youngsters, I'd advise you avoid Chiang Mai during this time.
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Ko Mak
Ko Chang
With dazzling beaches, these two islands in the Ko Chang archipelago near Cambodia, are welcoming and ideal for family travellers.
Try a few days on each island if you have the time. Both offer great family accommodation, but Ko Mak has mostly small resorts while Ko Kood has better beaches and some luxury resorts.
Ko Mak is easy to get around, but some of Ko Kood's beaches are remote and traversing the island can be expensive and tricky with younger kids. Sand flies become a problem on both islands at times, especially on Ko Mak. In the dry season, you could first head to the larger island of Ko Chang and then catch up with island-hopping ferries that stop at Ko Mak and Ko Kood, as well as the smaller island of Ko Wai.
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Khao Sok
Khao Sok
This national park, covered by one of the oldest rainforests in Asia, is one of the natural jewels of southern Thailand. Conveniently, it lies along a well-used route between beach destinations like Phuket and Ko Samui, which makes it a great stopover for a family itinerary.
Lodgings include a campground and bare-bones raft-house huts on Ratchaphrapa reservoir. But there are also privately run, and more comfortable, raft-houses.
Most travellers with younger kids would probably prefer to visit as part of a pre-arranged tour for ease of getting around.
Bangkok
Bangkok
Thailand's capital city; vast, bustling, traditional in places, sleekly modern in others, and fascinating for visitors of all ages.
Bangkok is surprisingly accessible for family travellers. Public transportation is excellent and easy to navigate, the food is varied and, despite its size, the city and its inhabitants are exceptionally welcoming to kids.
It's not all kid-friendly paradise, however. The city can feel cramped, choked with traffic and often extremely hot. Don’t squeeze too many activities into a day, and look for air-conditioned spots to cool down. Try to avoid using the metro and the roads during rush hours.
Krabi
Krabi
At the centre of the southwest coast on the Andaman Sea, Krabi is often cited as Thailand's most visually impressive province. Islands, mountains, waterfalls, limestone massifs and mangrove forests blend together in an area that, while popular, offers quieter and more kid-friendly alternatives to nearby Phuket.
Ao Nang is Krabi province's most touristy town on the mainland coast, with a large selection of comfortable family-friendly resorts. A little further north, Noppharat Thara and Khlong Muang beaches are quieter and less nightlife-oriented. The provincial capital is also worth a visit for food and culture.
Krabi province also includes the islands of Ko Phi Phi, Ko Jum and Ko Lanta, among others. Day trips are possible from Krabi town and Ao Nang, but most visitors treat these developed islands as separate destinations, opting to spend several nights on them.
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Trang
Trang
A step below Phuket and Krabi in terms of tourist numbers but with comparable natural beauty, Trang province's small and quiet islands are ideal for families keen to do some kid-friendly island-hopping.
The capital of Trang province, south of Krabi on the Andaman coast, is worth a night if you're a food lover. Rise early for dim sum, deep-fried tofu and steamed buns (sala bao) with locally-grown Robusta coffee, then sample the many curries and Trang's signature roast pork dish in the markets.
You can fly direct to Trang Airport (TST) from Bangkok, or take a train down the only offshoot of the Southern Line that accesses the Thai southwest.
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Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi
This scenic and historic town on the River Kwai (pronounced kway), along with the province of the same name, offers families a chance to learn Second World War history between visits to some of Thailand's most impressive waterfalls.
Kanchanaburi is only 130km west of Bangkok, making it convenient for a short trip. But as the third largest province in the country, it's also worth considering for a longer stay.
Most of Kanchanaburi town is family friendly, but you may want to avoid staying in the nightlife area at the south end of Mae Nam Kwai Road. For a more kid-friendly setting, stay towards the north end of this road or on the west side of the river. The nearby countryside also has quality resorts set in quieter areas along the River Kwai.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya
Founded in 1350 and destroyed by invading Burmese in 1767, the once-glorious city of Ayutthaya preceded Bangkok as the capital of Siam, as Thailand was known before 1939. Its ruins are extensive and easier to reach than those of Sukhothai.
Just 70km north of Bangkok, it’s perfect for a day trip or stays of a night or two. A further 60km up the Northern railway line is Lopburi, another historic centre.
The thousands of monkeys at Lopburi can be brazen, sneaking up to snatch food or even cameras and wallets before scampering away. Though mostly harmless, they do sometimes bite. Don't let kids pet them, and keep a tight grip on your valuables.
Sukhothai
Sukhothai
Founded in the 12th century, Sukhothai (Dawning Lotus) was the first Thai kingdom to conquer most of the land within modern Thailand's borders. Guided by leaders like Ramkamhaeng, now a revered figure, this was the kingdom where the Thai script was created and where a distinctive Thai culture first emerged.
What remains of the original capital of Sukhothai, featuring some of the most impressive ruins in Thailand, can be appreciated at the UNESCO World Heritage park that bears its name. And 75km to the south, the related ruins at Kamphaeng Phet (Diamond City) take you off the tourist trail and into a languid Thai city spread out along the Ping River.
Compact layouts and plentiful tree cover make the historical parks in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet great for bicycles, which can be rented. If your family has a keen interest in history, consider another historical park, Si Satchanalai, set in a rural area 50km north of Sukhothai.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
Thailand's northernmost province is often overlooked by travellers assuming that Chiang Mai is the must-visit destination up north. Both are worth a visit, but Chiang Rai is hard to beat for vistas of layered mountains and one of Asia's grandest rivers, the Mekong.
And, for travellers with older kids, there are several tour outfits offering jungle trekking to villages that are home to hill tribes, such as the Lahu.
For a real adventure, take a bus to Tha Ton in northern Chiang Mai province and then catch a longtail boat down the Kok River to Chiang Rai.
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Hua Hin
Hua Hin
This hourglass-shaped province, Prachuap for short, bridges the southern and central regions of Thailand. It has a coast studded with beaches, national parks, hilltop temples, golf courses and many other attractions.
The beach towns range from the heavily touristed to the downright sedate, and the lengthy coastline is perfect for a road trip alongside the sea.
To the south of the province are several beach towns - Bang Saphan Yai and Ban Krut, for example - which are small resorts with attractive beaches. If you don't need many attractions, they are ideal places to lie back and watch the little ones build sandcastles.
Chiang Khan
Chiang Khan
Few foreign tourists visit Loei, a province in the Northeast known for Mekong River sunsets and lofty mountain views, but it’s popular with domestic holiday-makers.
The provincial capital is a fine town with some good markets, but it lacks attractions and has a rather weak selection of lodgings. Most tourists opt for one of the many guesthouses or small resorts in the town of Chiang Khan further north.
Buses access some parts of Loei province, but renting a car in one of the larger provinces nearby, such as Khon Kaen or Udon Thani, would make it easier to explore the countryside. Loei also fits nicely into a wider tour of the Northeast that might include Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and other provinces along the Mekong.
Visiting Thailand with kids: Need to know
Everything you need to plan a happy trip
Thai people adore kids, often doting over foreign children like celebrities. Visitors to Thailand with kids usually encounter the best of the famed Thai charm.
And the country also offers terrific value, quality accommodation for all budgets, a huge selection of destinations and activities, and the travel and tourism infrastructure is well established – all of which means the country is beautiful, welcoming and safe.
Here are my top tips on planning a safe and happy trip to Thailand with the kids.
The best times to visit Thailand with kids
Thailand is a year-round destination – but there are a few important exceptions when visiting with kids.
It’s dry and sunny in most of Thailand from November to April, and this is when most tourists visit the country – late December through to February is the busiest time. Later in the season it gets brutally hot away from the sea and mountains; if you're coming with the family plan your itinerary accordingly.
Lodgings fill up around Christmas and the three New Year festivals: The 31st December, the Lunar New Year a month or two later, depending on the moon cycle, and the Thai New Year, or Songkran, in mid April.
Avoid the north during the February to April burning season when field stubble smoulders away at countless farms in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, blanketing the region in a thick haze. The air quality in Chiang Mai is among the worst anywhere in the world on some days in March and April. It improves when the rain arrives in May. Air quality has worsened in Bangkok in recent years, with unhealthy levels of dust reported on many days in the dry season.
All but one of the monsoons affecting Thailand arrive in May and usually last into early November. Resorts and restaurants close on many islands, some ferries stop running and several national parks close. The worst rains hit between August and October.
Note however, that rainy season travel can mean cheaper room rates, more impressive waterfalls, fewer crowds and lush jungles and rice fields. The rainy season arrives later on the southern Gulf of Thailand coast, around August, and lasts well into December or January.
A caveat to all the above: Climate change is making the Thai seasons and weather increasingly unpredictable. For example, the rainy seasons have been starting and ending later in recent years, and rain has become more frequent during the hot season.
Events and festivals
Aside from the famous Songkran, Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals (see above), there are plenty of smaller events that may be of interest to the kids.
Few places do regional festivals better than the Northeast region between late May and early July, when rice farmers sow their fields. In Loei province, the Phi Ta Khon festival celebrates the spirit world via elaborate painted masks worn by dancing and flailing “mediums”. It's thrilling for older kids, but possibly frightening for younger ones.
For something lighter, try Ubon Ratchathani's Hae Thian parade of detailed wax images carved for weeks at nearly every local temple. In the nearby province of Yasothon, the Bueng Fai festival features rockets (some very big) launched day and night as part of an annual rain-making ritual. Beware - those things fall hard.
Thailand also has a national public holiday dedicated to children: Children's Day or Wan Dek, on 11th January, when schools close as fairs and activities spring up.
Getting around Thailand with kids is easier than you think
You can hire a car but using public transport and hiring local drivers or tour companies for excursions works well in much of Thailand. Bus, train and ferry tickets can almost always be booked as you go, unless you plan to get really off the beaten track or you’re intending to use the sleeper trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, or Surat Thani. Don't expect sleeper berths if you don’t book ahead.
You can buy bus and train tickets online, but it's often easier to get tickets at transport stations or from small travel agencies at street level, many of which can be found online as well. Widely available at popular tourist destinations, these old-style travel outlets can arrange a transfer from your hotel to the bus or ferry to ease your journey. They can also help to arrange tours, private drivers, and more.
Most families book lodgings and internal flights in advance. Booking rooms weeks before you leave home could mean lower rates, availability of the best lodgings, and more time to enjoy your trip. Do compare room rates at a given property's official website (if available) with hotel-booking websites.
If your trip coincides with holiday periods - Christmas week, Lunar New Year and Songkran (Thai New Year), for example - be sure to book rooms well in advance or you might find slim pickings, especially on the islands.
One note of warning for families: Taxis often don’t have child-safety seats.
Getting around the cities with kids
Metro
Bangkok's metro can be confusing. It consists of three systems - BTS, MRT and SRT, and between them they reach most of the key areas and attractions, and both airports. If you’re switching from one system to another - and sometimes if you’re switching to a different line within the same system - you have to pay a separate fare. All three are safe, clean and reliable, but getting a pram or bulky luggage on board can be a challenge during rush hours. The staff do their best to help, but some stations are not wheelchair accessible.
Ferries
Ferries cross Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, and also cover longer distances. The cramped local ferries stop at dozens of piers marked by orange flags, while ferries geared towards tourists only stop near major attractions, and cost three times more. Another ferry runs on the San Saeb Canal, linking the historic district to the main shopping area, and beyond. All the ferries can be fun to use, but getting on and off the local ferries can be hectic at busy times.
Taxis
Taxis are cheap and easy to catch anywhere in Bangkok. Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app.
Regular taxis have meters that drivers are required by law to use, but some will try to negotiate a fixed price at the start of the journey. Others may not turn the meter on and then surprise the unsuspecting passenger with an exorbitant bill. Before getting in, politely ask the driver to use the meter. If they refuse, simply flag down the next one.
Tuk tuks
Tuk tuks (three-wheeled motorised trikes with seating for three adults behind the driver) are common. The noisy machines are best avoided during rush hours in Bangkok, when you risk breathing in traffic fumes. And be warned, they do not have seatbelts.
Tuk tuks do not have meters so you need to negotiate the fare with the driver, which often means the ride will be pricier than the taxi equivalent.
Songthaew
The most common form of public transport in provincial Thailand is the songthaew, a small pick-up truck with a roof over two benches in the back of the truck. They usually have pre-determined routes but in some areas they can also be booked as taxis. They tend to be cheap, but drivers in touristy areas will charge a premium. Again, be warned, they don’t have seatbelts.
Walking
If you want to walk, Bangkok can be a challenge even without kids. Smaller cities are more pedestrian-friendly and some towns are conducive to bicycles, available from travel agents and, sometimes, from lodgings. Motorbike rental is more widely available, but do read the safety concerns below.
Getting between the cities with kids
Car rental
With an international driving licence you can hire a car at the airports as well as at local offices, either on the spot or by booking ahead. Many travel agencies offer cars and vans with drivers, be it for a single journey or an entire trip. You can also arrange a taxi or songthaew for private day trips but you’ll need to negotiate the price with the driver.
Not surprisingly, hiring a car will be more expensive than public transport, but it may make sense if you have a large family. It may also be the only way to get a child-safety seat.
For longer journeys, Thailand has well-developed networks of inter-provincial bus, train, sea and air services. Dabbling in each is a good way to go.
Flights
Most domestic flights are cheaper in Thailand than in the West, and Bangkok links with 34 commercial airports. Phuket and Ko Samui are the only islands with airports, but some airlines offer all-in tickets covering the flight, a van to the pier and a ferry to your island. Airlines providing domestic services in Thailand include THAI, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai VietJet. You won’t find some of them on booking sites. Note that Bangkok has two major airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). If you have to change planes in Bangkok, be sure to book flights that use the same airport, or factor in an extra two hours to take a shuttle bus from one to the other.
Rail
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) operates trains on four main lines: Northern, Western, Southern and North-eastern. Railways do not run to most of the eastern seaboard or the southwest coast. New trains are now in service on popular routes, but most are old and slow. They can be fun though, and private cabins are available along with sleeper bunks and three classes of seats. For short trips, second-class fares with cushioned seats, open windows and fans are usually suitable for families.
Intercity bus
The sprawling public bus system - a mix of many private companies and the government’s reliable Transport Company (with a 999 logo) - reaches from Bangkok to every provincial capital. Passenger vans, or rot tuu, are increasingly replacing the full-size rot tour buses for regional routes. These vans are often cramped and dangerously driven, with no child safety seats, so do check if a regular bus is available instead. Many of the full-size buses have bathrooms.
Boats & ferries
Boats to the islands range from multi-deck vehicle ferries to large speedboats, and slow wooden vessels access small islands near the mainland. Island-hopping ferries connect islands within certain regions and archipelagos, but only during the dry season in the Ko Chang archipelago (eastern Gulf of Thailand), and the lower Andaman Sea south of Ko Lanta.
Longtail boats
These traditional fishing boats are great fun for private island-hopping over short distances, especially in the southwest where these banana-shaped vessels are most common. You'll also find sailboat, speedboat and yacht charters available online and through travel agencies at popular islands and beaches.
Staying safe and healthy in Thailand with kids
Travel can be slow and tiring. Trains run late, taxis get stuck in traffic, language barriers, though usually surmountable with patience, can cause confusion and frustration. Some travel agents, taxi drivers and seemingly friendly strangers do try to overcharge or scam foreigners.
Be on your guard, but it's also important to maintain jai yen - a cool heart. Thai society values composure. Staying calm and patient in difficult situations nearly always helps to solve problems. Getting angry and confrontational invariably makes things worse.
Most of Thailand is suitable for families with children, but keep the following safety issues in mind.
On the road
Thailand has one of the world’s highest rates of road traffic deaths. Unlicensed driving, drink-driving, riding motorbikes on the wrong side of the road, and other reckless road uses, are all common.
Planes and trains are safer than full-size buses (especially at night), which in turn are safer than public vans. Motorbikes are the most dangerous. Every year tourists riding with little understanding of Thai traffic laws and unwritten road rules end up in hospital, or worse, with hefty medical bills not covered by travel insurance.
An international or Thai motorcycle licence is essential if you're going to ride even a low-powered scooter, and check that your insurance policy gives you the right cover. Motorbike rental outlets do not usually offer insurance. Typically, the renter is responsible for damage to the bike and for injuries they cause others. Helmets are essential, and beware that large islands like Phuket, Ko Samui, and Ko Chang are particularly dangerous.
Thailand is a left-driving country like the UK and Australia, but driving similarities end there. Aggressiveness is the norm. Courtesies common in the West, like stopping to let pedestrians cross the road, can be dangerous in Thailand because they're likely to cause confusion. Also, when a driver flashes their headlights in Thailand, it means “stay out of my way!”.
If you’re walking, assume that pedestrians never have the right of way over a vehicle, even at zebra crossings (crosswalks). Beware of crossing a road even if a walk signal is flashing, and use pedestrian bridges if possible. Keep small children close to you.
Crime and violence
Muggings are rare in Thailand, but watch out for bag snatchers and pickpockets. Sexual violence and harassment of women is a longstanding problem, but the threat is reduced significantly for women travelling with a family. Violent crime occurs mostly late at night, often at bars, and typically involving personal conflicts.
Thailand's political situation has long been plagued by instability and repeated military coups. Turbulent political demonstrations hit Bangkok periodically with some violence and public disorder, though foreigners have never been targeted. However, try to avoid any demonstrations you come across.
Violence related to a long-running insurgency in Thailand's deep southeast rarely spills out of the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, and the southernmost districts of Songkhla. That apart, the south is no less safe than other regions.
Sea and animal threats
Look for red flags indicating unsafe swimming conditions on beaches throughout Thailand. Each rainy season, riptides and rough seas cause drownings. Don't hesitate to cancel or postpone a boat trip if the sea is rough or storms are forecast. Some boat captains will risk the safety of tourists (and themselves) rather than lose a day’s income due to bad weather. If possible, use large slow boats or longtail boats, rather than speedboats, for day tours or island-hopping. Also be careful about where you snorkel - boats are not always driven safely.
Most of the stray dogs, cats and monkeys you’ll see on beaches and in cities are harmless, but occasionally one may bite. You might want to carry a packet of dried chilli pepper to toss at an animal that gets too close for comfort. Consider a rabies vaccination before you go.
Shark attacks are almost non-existent. Bull sharks have inflicted injuries once every six years, on average, over the past two decades. However, box jellyfish can be fatal, mainly during the rainy season. Thailand's many poisonous snakes avoid humans, but beware of camouflaged tree vipers when exploring around waterfalls.
Mosquitoes can be vicious, particularly during the rainy season. Malaria is only a concern if travelling in remote jungle areas, but mosquitoes do transmit the potentially deadly dengue fever in more populated areas.
Hot and cold
The heat in Thailand can be dangerous and heat stroke is common among tourists. Keep hydrated and try to avoid being out and about during the midday peak heat. Sunscreen, light clothing and hats are essential, but take something warm as well. It can get surprisingly cool in mountainous areas especially in the dry season, and indoors, air-con is often kept very cool.
Food and water safety
Thai food can be extremely spicy, but cooks often tone down the heat for foreign tourists. Burgers and pasta are easy to find, and higher-end supermarkets like Tops or Villa Market have decent selections of imported foods.
Thailand is famous for street food, and enjoying a meal curb-side can be a thrill for both the flavours and atmosphere. Consider hiring an experienced street food guide in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai if you're worried about food hygiene or intimidated by the lack of English-language menus. A food tour can also be a great way to interact with locals while learning about everyday culture.
Out-of-sight restaurant kitchens are not necessarily cleaner than street kitchens out in the open. Good indicators of hygiene are the containers set on tables for dried chillies and other spices. If they don't look clean or recently refilled, go elsewhere.
Check that meat is fully cooked. Food that sits out in hot weather - on trays at khao gaeng (rice and curry) shops for example - is more likely to cause food poisoning than made-to-order dishes.
Drinking only filtered water is sensible, and vending machines that pour filtered water into reusable containers are fairly common. Ice served at restaurants and street stalls is typically made with filtered water and although some travellers avoid fresh fruits and vegetables washed in tap water, this is usually unnecessary.
It’s a myth that Thailand's tap water comes straight from the canals. Most of it goes through extensive purification. A five-year study completed in 2018 found that 98.4 percent of Bangkok's tap water met safety criteria set by the World Health Organisation. However, water quality in rural areas is not always up to that standard.
Most of Thailand's best hospitals are privately run and Bangkok Hospital is one of the largest and most reliable.
Thailand with kids packing essentials
If you’re travelling with very small children bring a baby sling and perhaps a light, foldable pram for tight urban areas. City footpaths can be narrow, and even non-existent in places, uneven, and with plenty of obstacles in the way.
Minimarts such as 7-Eleven stock nappies, wet wipes, baby formula, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Larger stores like Big C and Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) offer more choice. Boots and Watsons are two of the most popular chain drug stores. Locally-owned pharmacies are also common and the staff usually speak enough English to help you.
Baby foods and formulas sold in Thailand are safe, but the instructions on the packets may be in Thai only, so you may want to bring your own. Electric kettles are common in hotel rooms and hot water is free at most minimarts.
Public restrooms are easy to find but they may not always be clean. Soap is not always provided, so carry hand sanitiser. Some toilets are flushed by pouring water from provided buckets and although Western-style toilets are common, you may still be faced with a squat toilet.
ATMs, banks and foreign currency exchange booths are easy to find in all cities and most tourist centres, but some small islands lack ATMs. Credit cards are accepted at large stores and restaurants, and increasingly, for public transport. Cash is usually needed for street food, tuk tuk rides, and other small purchases.
Quiet beaches on Khao Lak
Thailand with kids: FAQs
Your questions, our expert's answers
Question
Any recommendations for kid-friendly accommodations in Thailand?
Answer
It depends what you’re looking for, but I think there are three broad categories of family-friendly accommodation in Thailand:
Kid friendly resorts
You’ll find plenty of family friendly resorts with good pools in parts of Khao Lak, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Chang, as well as in Bangkok. Koh Kut is truly a stunning island in the east that has quite a few family visitors. Though much smaller, Koh Ngai is also known for its family resorts.
Villa / apartment rentals
Some recommended short term rentals include Koh Jum Villas on Koh Jum, Baba Beach Resort (formerly Golden Buddha) on Koh Phra Thong, Railei Beach Club on Railay in Krabi, and Good Time Resort on Koh Mak. You’ll find plenty more on Airbnb and Agoda. Koh Samui may be too busy for some, but it's also worth a mention for its plethora of affordable villas / houses including some on the quiet side of the island along beaches like Lipa Noi and Mae Nam.
Traditional bungalows
If you came to Thailand pre-kids you probably remember sleeping under mozzie nets while fans hum and geckos roam the wall. Don't be afraid to share this quintessential Thailand travel experience with the kids! You’ll find quality family bungalows on quieter islands, for example at Jungle Hill on Koh Jum, Horizon Eco Resort on Koh Phra Thong, and the wonderful Our Jungle House in the Khao Sok valley, just to name a few.
Question
We want to do day trips but we're worried about motorbiking with a toddler. Of Samui, Chang or Lanta which is best for getting around?
Answer
You can get around safely without a motorbike in all of the main islands; there are usually other family-friendly forms of transport.
Some of the islands, like Chang and Samui, have songthaews (pick-up trucks with roofed benches in the back) that connect all of the main beaches, although they are pricey compared to the mainland; expect to pay at least a few hundred baht even if going a short distance.
Lanta and other islands around there (such as Jum) have salengs (sidecar motorbike taxis) which are more affordable. You'll also find tuk tuks and regular taxis in places. Or, if you have an international drivers licence and would prefer to drive yourself, car and jeep rental is available on Samui, Lanta and Chang.
Otherwise, if you want to go out you can always ask the reception staff to call a driver for you; indeed that is often the only way to find a driver on Kood. But finding a saleng on Lanta or a songthaew on Chang is typically easy in all the main areas.
Question
We’re thinking of travelling to Thailand for 6 weeks in February/March next year. Is it safe to travel to Thailand with a 10 month old baby and 3 year old toddler. Would having a 10 month old baby be more hassle than it's worth?
Answer
Ultimately this depends on your baby, your itinerary, and your own comfort zones. But overall yes Thailand is perfectly safe to visit with kids of all ages. I recently met a German family doing a six month trip with a one-, three- and six-year old and they were having a great time! Aside from the general family travel advice in this guide, my most important recommendation for February/March is to stick to the southern beaches and islands, as further north the air quality can be awful at that time of year.
Question
Of Ko Samui, Ko Chang, or Ko Lanta, which would you recommend most for a family with a toddler?
Answer
I think all three of the areas you've singled out (Samui, Lanta, Chang) can be great for families with a toddler. Two weeks is plenty of time so wherever you are, you could easily spend a week at the main island and then take one of the easily available island hopping boats (dry season only) to check out some of the smaller islands. I always recommend some of those smaller islands because the beaches are often more beautiful than on the main island.
Of the three areas I personally prefer the Koh Chang Archipelago and Koh Lanta / Krabi / Trang areas because, although Koh Chang and Koh Lanta are both sizable tourist destinations, they are both more laid back and not as developed or mainstream as Koh Samui.
Although Koh Chang does have some slightly seedy nightlife on the main road near White Sand Beach, neither Chang or Lanta are as seedy as parts of Samui, around Chaweng and Lamai. (That said, the south of Samui is a whole different story and you could easily stay there and never even stop at Chaweng or Lamai if you wanted.)
One thing that Samui, Chang and Lanta have in common – and I would also say this about Koh Phangan – is that they're all beautiful but also big enough to have totally different "vibes" or "scenes" in different areas. So on any of them you can stay in a quieter area that still puts you within relatively easy access of all attractions and other parts of the islands.
If you want to do some island hopping, a slowboat from Koh Chang to Koh Mak to Koh Kood, or ferry from Krabi town to Koh Lanta and then private longtail boat around the Trang islands, would be, I think, more exciting than the larger ferries to Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao.
Question
We're visiting Thailand with four kids in March-April and are concerned about the burning season in the north. Do you have any advice?
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March to April is peak burning season, and during that period Chiang Mai in the north is routinely ranked among the worst air quality on earth. Visiting Thailand with kids, I'd definitely avoid the north during that period and if you're worried about air quality, I'd probably avoid Isaan and the central region, too. Perhaps even more pressing for travelling with family, the heat can be brutal during this time.
On the other hand, the coast and islands in southern Thailand are lovely in March/April. Still hot, but with the cooling effect of the ocean to help with the kids.
If you feel like you're missing out on the north you can visit scenic mountain areas like Khao Sok and Khao Luang. And for the best family friendly beaches/islands at that time, I'd recommend Khao Lak on the Andaman coast – it's popular with families, with plentiful activities including day tours to some of Thailand's most spectacular islands, namely the Similans and Koh Surin. The Gulf side such as Koh Samui and around is also pretty in March - April.
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We're visiting Hua Hin with my in-laws, but are there more beautiful places to visit nearby with kids aged 3, 7 and 9?
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I agree there are probably better places than Hua Hin to visit with kids, although I can see the appeal – it has good restaurants, markets and accommodation. And there are some great family-friendly day trips from Hua Hin:
One highly underrated idea is Kui Buri National Park, which is by far the best place in Thailand to spot wild elephants (as well as gaur, the world's largest bovine species). I'm 40 years old but had all the excitement of a kid when piling into the back of a pick-up truck and driving slowly down dirt tracks into the mountains, stopping often to watch the elephants in the forest and grasslands. You have close to a 100% chance of seeing wild elephants in Kui Buri National Park, whereas it's something like 10% in Khao Yai and maybe 30% in Kaeng Krachan, both of which are far better known for wildlife than Kui Buri.
Other family-friendly day trips out of Hua Hin include the Pala-U Waterfall where you also might spot wild elephants; the mangrove forest park in Pranburi where kids enjoy peeping the crabs from elevated walkways that pierce a vast mangrove forest; the Khao Tao area where Sai Noi Beach is a well-kept secret that is arguably among the best mainland beaches in all of Thailand and situated a short hike from a good viewpoint with a Buddha image; and finally the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park which has some fabulous caves and viewpoints amid a dramatic karst mountain landscape to go with notably scenic lotus-filled wetlands on the inland side of the park.
I'd also keep Sam Roi Yot in mind as a secondary overnight destination. Just north of the park, the lengthy beach known as Hat Sam Roi Yot or Hat Phu Noi has some good family beach resorts – one called Dolphin Bay is popular thanks to its big pool with waterslides – with a much quieter and more laid-back vibe than Hua Hin.
Question
We're a big group (seven adults, two kids aged 3 and 6), can you recommend some beach areas that might suit?
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I'll suggest one destination in the Gulf of Thailand and another on the Andaman coast. Which one you choose partially depends on when you're travelling. The rainy season in the Gulf starts around Aug-Sep and lasts straight through December. Rainy season on the Andaman coast is from around May-June through October, although in recent years it seems to be starting later and lasting into Nov or even Dec.
In the Gulf, Koh Samui might work for your group because it has plenty of private house / villa rentals. These cater for many budgets, from extreme luxury on the beach to rather modest options set down inland lanes. So if you're looking for a place to all stay together in one big house, with its own kitchen and perhaps its own swimming pool, consider Samui.
The areas that are quietest and generally considered best for families are Samui's northern beaches like Bophut, Mae Nam and Bang Po, as well as southern and western beaches like Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi. Chaweng and Lamai are the two busiest beaches and both have some seedy nightlife along with techno-blasting beach parties, etc., but there are rental houses along the quieter nearby inland lanes.
On Samui you have a solid list of attractions on the island, and those who want more adventure will find some of Thailand's most dazzling islands if day tripping into the nearby Ang Thong National Park. You could hire a private boat for that or book into a group tour. Another nearby island that you might find worth a day trip is Koh Matsum, where kids often enjoy seeing the domesticated boars that live on the beach.
Meanwhile on the Andaman coast, the Khao Lak area is not far from Phuket but much quieter and without the traffic jams and seedy nightlife (to be fair, several parts of Phuket, such as Bang Tao and Kamala beaches, are also good for families). Khao Lak might work for you because there's loads to do, including day tours to nearby Similan or Surin islands, both of which are also part of national parks and also rank among the most dazzling islands in Thailand. Or you could go to the sea turtle conservation centre or, if you're really lucky, even possibly see turtles hatching on nearby Khao Lampi and Thai Mueang beaches. Other kid friendly activities here are visiting the old town market in nearby Takua Pa, a boat tour of the magnificent Phang Nga Bay, miniature golf, the butterfly farm, and the night markets and many different beaches within the Khao Lak area.
Perhaps not ideal for younger kids but worthwhile for everyone else, is a visit to the deeply moving 2004 tsunami memorial just north of Khao Lak in Ban Nam Khem.
Question
Can you recommend any mountain areas for a larger family?
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I think Chiang Rai would be a great choice for a large family, particularly if you're willing to splash out on tours or a private van for excursions outside the provincial capital city.
Chiang Rai is a bit further off the beaten path than Chiang Mai, but still relatively easy to reach and with plenty of local travel offices and tour operators that can assist English-speaking travellers.
The provincial capital is full of photogenic temples and museums and also has a great night market. There are loads of trips from the city, including the Tham Luang Cave that was the site of the incredible rescue of 12 boys and their football coach back in 2018. Other good options include mountain viewpoints like Doi Tung and historic Mekong River towns like Chiang Khan, or if going further up into the mountains, the tea-growing outpost of Mae Salong.
Do keep in mind that, as with virtually any mountainous area in Thailand, travelling involves winding roads with switchback turns. Also the entire north gets hit by bad air pollution late in the dry season. I do not suggest going up there in March or April and even in February the air can get bad as farmers start to burn off the stubble in their fields.
One other suggestion is Kanchanaburi, which isn't too far from Bangkok and can be fun for families especially if you're interested in the World War II history. If you go, the Hellfire Pass Memorial and Museum is not to be missed. Kanchanaburi province has some of Thailand's best waterfalls, such as Huai Mae Khamin and Erawan. While it might be too far out of the way for a large family, the lake mountain town of Sangkhlaburi is an enchanting place.
