Family vacations in Thailand

By Thailand specialist Rebecca

There is plenty to keep the whole family entertained on a trip in Thailand, regardless of age. From spending time exploring its busy cities, to cooking lessons and kayaking in one of the country's excellent national parks.

Thailand also represents particularly good value for money for families. Places to stay are comfortable and high quality, with humble three-star hotels in Thailand often of a better standard than four-star accommodation back home.

The Thai people love children and hold them in high regard. Don’t be surprised if you and the children are beckoned to the front of queues by eager locals wanting to show their affection.

You can explore the length and breadth of Thailand easily, whether hopping on an internal flight or, more intrepidly, aboard a train. And, it’s easy to tailor activities to fit with the ages of your children.

Elephant experiences for families in Thailand

Elephants are one of the biggest draws for families on vacation in Thailand. There are a number of initiatives — for whom conservation is the byword — that offer a very close-up experience with these majestic, docile creatures.

One such organization, the Elephant Nature Foundation, is an easy journey out from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. They place the utmost importance on the welfare of their animals and instilling its importance in their visitors.

Cooking lessons in Thailand

Chiang Mai is renowned for its food, and here you can take part in our Thai for a day experience.

Spend half a day with local, English-speaking Mr Prapat and his family, shopping for fresh produce at the market before joining them in their home to learn their traditional cooking techniques as you prepare a delicious home-cooked lunch together (which will vary depending on the time of year and the availability of ingredients in the market).

It’s a crash induction to the spices and herbs that are ground into the pastes that flavor northern Thai dishes, and moreover a first-hand perspective into the daily life of a Thai family.

Staying with a local hill tribe

Living among a traditional tribe and discovering what rural life in Thailand really entails is truly enriching. Two of my preferred options for families are Lanjia Lodge, overlooking the Mekong River on the Laos/Thailand border near Chiang Rai (an hour and 45-minute flight from Bangkok), and Lisu Lodge, an hour and a half’s drive outside Chiang Mai.

The ethos of both lodges is to preserve the ancient cultures of the local communities of tribes, while allowing visitors to participate in their lifestyle in a positive way.

You’re hosted by the local hill tribe and sleep in a traditional stilted house. Meals are cooked by your hosts — there’s no menu, you’re simply invited to sit cross-legged on the floor and served what seems like a banquet of food.

There are children of all ages in the community, with whom visiting children can interact.

I’d recommend a one-night stay at Lisu Lodge, where outdoor activities such as mountain biking and rafting (along a gentle river) abound. In the evening, you spend time with the tribe’s shaman, who’ll teach you and your family about the tribe’s culture and traditions.

While this is a somewhat rustic experience, it’s not without a few home comforts, such as a Western-style toilet.

Camping at Elephant Hills in the rainforest

Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park, in the south of Thailand, is my recommended family “camping” experience.

Encased in rainforest with coconut mangroves and jutting limestone karsts, the first thing that hits you is the call of the wildlife — gibbons howling in the day, cicadas calling at night, the ribbit of frogs.

The main camp — consisting of safari-style tents — is suitable for children aged four and above.

Families with children aged seven and over can also spend the second or third night of the stay in the floating tents of the Rainforest Camp. Head deep into your lush green surroundings on a traditional longtail boat, exploring the tributaries of Cheow Larn Lake until it opens up to reveal a row of 20 floating tents.

The lake is 98 feet deep and perfectly still, and you can swim in it straight from your tent’s own private deck. The wildlife is more prevalent here, too, though seeing wild elephants is a rarity.

Elephant Hills is reached by a one-hour flight from Bangkok to Phuket followed by a three-hour drive or, more intrepidly, an overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which borders the park.

Thailand’s best beaches for families

Thailand’s beaches are accessible year round and accommodation options are endless. While the Khao Lak on the Andaman Coast (Thailand's west coast) is better during November to March, families traveling during July and August should visit the Gulf of Thailand to the east.

From Bangkok, it’s just a short 90-minute flight to Krabi, Phuket or Koh Samui, the gateways to Thailand’s southern beaches.

Khao Lak

On Thailand’s west coast, Khao Lak is a personal favorite. A one and a half hour’s drive north of Phuket, this is a quiet and unspoilt area with fewer visitors.

Expect a relaxed pace of life and calm seas, with a selection of fantastic hotels, including the Ramada. Although this is a chain hotel it’s small with everything a family needs for a few days at the beach, including a beachfront location, kids’ club, babysitting service and inviting pool.

The property is only a short walk from Khao Lak town, which has many local restaurants serving delicious and authentic Thai food.

Koh Samui

Vacations to Koh Samui are an inspired choice for families. While the main resorts can be quite commercialized and busy, you escape this by heading to the north of the island.

Just a 40-minute car journey from Koh Samui airport lies a stretch of golden sand known as Bophut Beach. All of the resorts here are beachfront and the shallow waters tempt children of all ages to paddle around or swim in safety.

Anantara Bophut on the bay is my recommended option for families. Designed in true Thai style, suites are large and the interconnecting rooms ensure everyone has their own space. The hotel also offers a kids’ club, cookery classes and great service.

A little luxury

If you’re seeking a little family luxury in Thailand, my choice would be Maenam Beach on the north of Koh Samui. Of particular note is the five-star Belmond Napasai. Individual stilted villas dot the hillside with uninterrupted views over the ocean.

Room options include garden villas, ocean pool residences that feature their own pool and kitchenette area, and four-bedroom villas, all of which are great options depending on your budget.

Feeding the family

Most hotels provide Western options alongside their classic Thai dishes. Restaurant staff will always ask how spicy you’d like your food. You can request no spice at all, if you wish.

Best time to visit Thailand with your family

Although the busiest season runs from November to March as this has the driest weather across the country, Thailand is suitable most of the year thanks to its microclimates.

The east coast is drier over the summer months of July and August, and even though there may be rain in other areas at this time of year it tends to be heavy downpours that are easily avoided and so should not preclude travel.

The beaches in the south of the country, which offer a little respite from the fast-paced cities, can be visited at any time.

Read our full guide about the best time to visit Thailand.

Best ways to travel to Thailand for families

Both direct and indirect flights are available to Thailand from the UK. Direct flights take around 12 hours and usually depart from London.

If the 12-hour-solid flight time is too much, you also have the option of breaking up your journey when flying with one of the Middle Eastern airlines, such as Etihad. Spend a few hours in Dubai to recharge before embarking on the second leg of your journey. Indirect flights are available from a number of the UK’s regional airports.

Most flights to Thailand are overnight, which helps to avoid jet-lag. Your flight will land in the afternoon, allowing you time to check into your hotel before dinner.