Thailand with Kids: Where to Stay and What to Do

Thailand works very well with children. Thais are openly fond of kids, the sea is warm, hotels are geared to families and private hospitals in the resort areas are good. The main decisions are where to base yourself, which season to travel in, and how to keep the days short enough that everyone still enjoys them.

Where to stay with children

Choose a base by the age of your children and how far you are willing to travel each day. Moving hotels every two nights is the most common mistake families make; two bases in two weeks is plenty.

Area	Best for	Why	Watch out for
Phuket (Kata, Karon, Bang Tao)	All ages	Direct flights, big family resorts, easy boat trips, good hospitals	Rough sea on the west coast from about May to October
Krabi (Ao Nang, Klong Muang)	Ages 5+	Limestone scenery, short longtail trips, calmer pace than Phuket	Tidal beaches; some are shallow and muddy at low tide
Pattaya and Jomtien	Toddlers to teens	Ninety minutes from Bangkok airport, water parks, short island hops	The town beach and nightlife strip are not for children; stay in Jomtien or north Pattaya
Koh Samui	All ages	Gentle beaches on the north and east coasts, good villas	Wetter from October to December
Hua Hin	Toddlers, grandparents	Quiet, flat beach, short drive from Bangkok	Fewer excursions
Chiang Mai	Ages 6+	Cooler mornings, sanctuaries, cooking, markets	Smoky air from about February to April

For a first family trip, a classic combination is three or four nights in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, then ten nights at one beach. If you have very small children, skip the city entirely and fly straight to the beach.

When to go

The cool, dry season from November to February is the easiest time for families almost everywhere: lower humidity and the calmest sea on the Andaman coast. It is also school holiday time for many families, so book early. March to May is very hot; plan pool time in the afternoon. From May to October the Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi) is green and quieter but the surf can be unsafe for children; the Gulf side (Koh Samui) and Pattaya are usually the better choice for summer holidays.

What children enjoy most

Boat days, kept short

Boats are the highlight of most family trips, as long as the day is not too long and the boat is stable. Children over five usually love a half-day longtail or catamaran, while ten hours at sea is too much for most under-tens.

• Pattaya: the islands are close. Our three-island catamaran cruise with Thai buffet lunch is steady, spacious and has shade, so younger children can rest between swims. Older kids who already snorkel will enjoy the Nemo Island snorkelling trip with hotel pickup, which is shorter and focused on the reef fish.
• Krabi: the four-island longtail trips are short hops between beaches with plenty of shallow water.
• Phuket: Phang Nga Bay by big boat is calmer than the open sea to Phi Phi, which is long and can be bumpy in a speedboat.

Elephants, done properly

Many families want to see elephants. Choose a sanctuary where the animals are not ridden and do not perform; children are usually just as happy preparing food and watching elephants bathe and graze. In Pattaya, our half-day elephant sanctuary visit with a Thai meal fits easily around nap times. In Chiang Mai, full-day sanctuary visits are more common.

Easy culture

Temples fascinate children for about an hour: the golden statues, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the giant guardians. Keep visits short, go in the morning and let them count the Buddha statues. Night markets are a hit with every age, especially for mango sticky rice and fruit shakes.

Rainy-day backups

Every resort area has water parks, aquariums and cooking classes for children. These are worth knowing about for an afternoon storm in the wet season.

Food: what kids will eat

Thai food is not all spicy. Most children happily eat fried rice (khao pad), chicken satay, plain grilled chicken with sticky rice (gai yang and khao niao), pad thai without chilli, rice soup in the morning and endless fresh fruit. Say "mai phet" (not spicy) when you order. Hotels and resort towns also have plenty of Western food for fussy days.

Health and safety with children

• Sun and heat: UV is strong all year. Rash vests for swimming are easier than reapplying cream every hour, and hats are essential on boats.
• Water: bottled water only, including for brushing teeth for small children.
• Mosquitoes: dengue occurs nationwide. Use a child-appropriate repellent and cover arms and legs at dusk.
• Sea: swim between the flags, and use life jackets on every boat trip for young children. Ask operators about child sizes before you book.
• Animals: keep children away from street dogs and monkeys, which can bite. Rabies exists in Thailand; any bite or scratch needs prompt medical attention.
• Medical care: private hospitals in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui and Chiang Mai have paediatric departments. Make sure your insurance covers them.

Getting around with kids

Domestic flights are short and cheap; Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi or Chiang Mai is roughly an hour to an hour and a half. Car seats are rarely provided in taxis, so if this matters to you, book private transfers in advance and ask for one, or bring a lightweight travel seat. Strollers are awkward on uneven pavements; a carrier is better for toddlers in towns, and a compact stroller is fine in resorts and malls. Tours with hotel pickup avoid the taxi question altogether, which is one reason families use them.

A sample 12-day family plan

1. Days 1–3, Bangkok: one morning at the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, a boat on the river, a mall afternoon to recover from jet lag.
2. Days 4–7, Pattaya (Jomtien): one catamaran day, one elephant sanctuary morning, the rest by the pool.
3. Days 8–12, Krabi or Phuket: one short island trip, beach days, a night market.

Travelling in summer? Swap Krabi or Phuket for Koh Samui, where the sea is calmer at that time of year.

FAQ

What is the best part of Thailand for families?

Phuket is the most complete family destination, with large resorts, easy trips and good hospitals. Krabi suits families who want a calmer pace, and Jomtien near Pattaya is the easiest if you want a short transfer from Bangkok.

Is Thailand safe for toddlers?

Yes, with the usual care around heat, sun, mosquitoes and water. Choose a hotel with a shaded pool and a calm beach, and keep excursions to half a day.

What age is right for a Thailand boat trip?

Short catamaran or longtail trips work from about three or four years old with a life jacket. Long speedboat days to Phi Phi or the Similan Islands are better for children over eight.

Do children need vaccinations for Thailand?

Routine vaccinations should be up to date. Some doctors also recommend hepatitis A and others depending on the trip. Ask a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you leave.

Can kids ride elephants in Thailand?

We do not recommend it. Ethical sanctuaries let children feed and watch the elephants instead, which is safer and usually more fun for them.