Best Family Friendly Beaches In Thailand

Thailand has hundreds of beaches that are ideal for families. Some are well developed with comfortable resorts and facilities, while others offer simple peace and quiet.

The beaches below all have gentle drop-offs in shallow water, they are quiet, without noisy nightlife, and they have a broad range of resorts to choose from, focused on the needs and preferences of families and younger children.

Read on for our essential guide to family-friendly beaches in Thailand.

The recommended beaches below all have the following family-friendly criteria: They all have gentle drop-offs in the water so that young kids don't end up in a deep end without warning.

They all have quiet atmospheres away from noisy nightlife. And finally, they have a broad selection of resorts focused on the needs and preferences of families and younger kids.

This beach extends for almost 5km along Ko Chang's west coast. There are many restaurants and shops nearby, but it's quiet, with plenty of space between resorts set on the beachfront and along three photogenic estuaries. Near the beach is Khlong Phrao village, with a temple and a non-profit sports centre, Sports Buddies, where children of tourists can befriend local kids through the joy of sport.

Ko Kood has more than a dozen sublime beaches, most suitable for families, but Khlong Chao is probably the best bet for many. With fine white sand, this half-km beach has many comfortable resorts with sizeable swimming pools. They come in several price ranges, but all are near a village which has restaurants, dive shops and tour outfits. The river of the same name north of the beach is fantastic for kayaking.

This km-long crescent of fine khaki sand is sheltered by headlands at both ends, keeping the water calm. The scene here is a happy medium between the nightlife-heavy northeast coast and the isolated southeast coast, with some excellent family resorts set in leafy surrounds to the south. Ao Wong Duean's central location also makes it a good base for beach hopping.

Shallow water extends for hundreds of metres offshore at this km-long beach on the northeast coast of Ko Phangan, far away from wild Full Moon Parties in both distance and atmosphere. The area leans upscale, offering some luxurious villas, but you'll also find quality midrange resorts and stylish cafes in the village near the beach. Thong Nai Pan Yai is also close to the refreshing Than Sadet waterfall.

Skip Ko Samui's noisy and overdeveloped east coast beaches and head to the quieter south or west coast, where Lipa Noi's low-key atmosphere and its wonderful sunset views make it a great pick for families. There’s no shortage of good resorts, but this part of the island retains a local character with coconut farms, old houses and a temple set just beyond the sand. If you want something even quieter, Taling Ngam Beach on the south is another fine option with easy access to Ko Taen.

Coconut and casuarina trees stand at the edge of the tan sand at this 2.5km long beach and there are several fine resorts at both its ends. A large public park keeps the heavy commercialism and overdevelopment found on other parts of the island at arm's length, but more bustling areas are still within easy reach.

With farmland and a colourful fishing village at the northern end, and looking out at the splendid Ko Hong islands, this km-long stretch of golden sand is in a beautiful setting. The shallow water recedes at low tide to reveal a crab-filled universe that's fun for a stroll. Tha Khao makes a fine base for island exploration, though some families never go further than the sandbar that connects the beach to the islet of Ko Nok.

This 3.5km expanse of sand was the first area to develop for tourism on Ko Lanta, and it remains one of the best options for families. There are many family-oriented resorts for a range of budgets, and boutiques, tour agencies and cafes extend north into Saladan village where you’ll find outstanding seafood restaurants. Low tide reveals a vast carpet of sand ideal for long walks and games. If you want a quieter beach, Kantiang Bay in the south is another good family choice.

For a low-key island with local character, consider Ko Jum, where Long Beach (or Hat Yao) has plenty of space, and lovely sunsets over Ko Phi Phi. You won't find large resorts with waterslides, but Long Beach has affordable family bungalows and swankier resorts towards the northern end, including one with various types of beach houses. Watch out for clusters of hidden rocks that kids can stub their toes on when wading.

The main beach on this petite island has some of the most dazzling scenery found anywhere in Thailand. High tide is the time to swim and snorkel in the clear water, while low tide reveals a vast expanse of rippled white sand where egrets feed in tidal pools. Most of the lodgings offer family rooms and a few of the pricier resorts come with small swimming pools, but the natural scenery is the highlight of this quiet island. Some 12km to the north, Ko Ngai's beach has a similar allure.

Charming, tranquil and unlike any other beach in Thailand, the soft white sand on Ko Bulon Leh's east coast nudges up to a wee pink schoolhouse. The teachers rent out six simple bungalows overlooking the school's seaside football pitch, though most families opt for one of the solid midrange resorts at either end of this casuarina-shaded beach. Powered by solar panels, tiny Ko Bulon Leh is a success story in ecotourism and the Urak Lawoi “sea people” welcome respectful tourists during the dry months.

Families looking for phenomenal white sand and clear turquoise water with a strong selection of resorts and restaurants, often opt for Pattaya Beach (it has nothing to do with the seedy Thai city of the same name). The 1.5km crescent of super-fine sand is stacked with lodgings, including some with sizable swimming pools, though you'll also find affordable spots that have stayed true to Ko Lipe's backpacker routes. Most of the beach stays quiet but the eastern area near Walking Street has a string of beach bars that get noisy.