Family travel in Thailand - the guide

Thailand offers everything you need for a great family holiday, here are the top 5 places that might interest you.

The country is known for its beautiful beaches, varied landscapes, interesting activities for children, friendly people and delicious, reasonably priced food.

See also : Preparing your trip to Thailand: the complete guide

Travelling with your family can take a lot of planning, especially if you don't know where to go.

See also : Where to travel in Thailand, what to see, what to visit?

So here are our Top 5 recommended places to travel with your family in Thailand in 2023.

1. Bangkok

View of Bangkok

This will surely be your arrival point, the famous capital of Thailand.

It is a city that never sleeps (although it is a little quieter than before the pandemic).

Wherever you explore, the whole family will be on the alert, as there is constant activity all around you.

See also: Places to avoid if you visit Thailand's capital with your family

Every family should visit Bangkok at least once.

The city has a lot to offer.

Instead of mountains and beaches, you can visit parks and mega malls.

There are outdoor and indoor playgrounds for children (MEGA Bang Na is particularly great).

Take a cruise on the Chao Praya River, wander around one of the night or weekend markets, or have a picnic and walk around Lumphini Park - where you'll probably see some cool varanus.

Whatever you do, the concrete jungle will keep you on your toes for the right reasons.

See : What to do in Bangkok: the top 10 must-sees!

Not to mention the numerous restoration possibilities.

There's something for everyone, whether you want to sample local cuisine from a street vendor, reliable dishes from a traditional restaurant chain or something refined in a gourmet restaurant or boutique café.

See : Bangkok: the complete guide to the Thai capital

2. Kanchanaburi

Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Photo: Pinit Ton

Kanchanaburi is about 130 kilometres west of Bangkok, and is a great option for a short two-day trip.

This beautiful and historic city on the River Kwai offers families the opportunity to learn about the history of the Second World War.

It is also a beautiful treasure on the River Kwai in Thailand, which offers beautiful natural scenery.

See : Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi

While younger travellers may be less interested in the history of the area, a train journey along the majestic Death Railway is both exciting and thrilling.

You can also have an incredible experience with elephants in a place run by French speakers, your children will love it.

See : Living with elephants at Ganesha Park in Kanchanaburi

The town's sad past is contrasted by breathtaking natural sites such as waterfalls, caves and the river.

If you are planning to spend a few nights, we recommend staying on a raft house for an unforgettable river adventure.

See our guide : Kanchanaburi, the complete guide to the city and province

3. Nakhon Ratchasima

Khao Yai National Park. Photo: Paxzcasso

The Isan province (north-east) of Nakhon Ratchasima is known for having the country's first national park, Khao Yai National Park.

It extends from Nakhon Ratchasima to the neighbouring provinces of Prachinburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok.

Elephants, monkeys, deer, monkeys, porcupines, otters and foxes can all be spotted on a walk through Khao Yai, as well as various species of reptiles and birds.

Elephants in a tourist park in Thailand.

There are trails for people of all abilities, and many of the park's biggest attractions are also accessible by car.

The variety is enhanced by waterfalls and picturesque viewpoints.

The park's headquarters is also very family-friendly, with plenty of rest areas, a restaurant, a café, a newly renovated nature centre with a children's playground, and an extensive gift shop with all kinds of fun souvenirs for the whole family.

But when the sun goes down, that's when the real fun begins.

Make sure you stick around for the night safari.

On this 30-minute safari, your group will ride in the back of a van while a local wildlife guide shines a spotlight on the forest and fields in search of strange nocturnal creatures.

Don't forget to bring a jumper.

See : Visit Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, complete guide

4. Krabi

Phra Nang Beach in Railay Bay, Krabi. Photo: Kallerna

Krabi is a paradise for beach lovers and the perfect place to relax.

Not only does Krabi have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, it is also a great place to snorkel and discover Thailand's breathtaking underwater world.

You can board a long-tail boat that sails through the caves and transports you to other majestic paradise islands.

Travellers can enjoy boat trips to islands such as Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, or relax on the white sands of Railay and Ao Nang.

The area also offers many opportunities for exciting day trips to parks, waterfalls, elephant shelters or, for older children, rock climbing at some of the best climbing sites.

See : Krabi, complete guide to the city and province

5. Chiang Mai

Temple in Chiang Mai. Photo: Father150

Chiang Mai's climate is cooler than that of southern Thailand, offering a much more pleasant experience for those who want to escape the heat.

If you like camping, this is your best option.

Chiang Mai is a great place to visit with your family.

It offers a peaceful small town atmosphere, with many cafes, restaurants and ancient architecture to explore.

There are many family activities on offer, including visits to museums and the zoo, as well as lively local markets.

Chiang Mai is known for its many outdoor activities in the surrounding hills.

For more adventurous activities, you can feed or wash an elephant at an elephant sanctuary, pet a tiger at the tiger park, go rafting, zip-lining or trekking.

The list goes on and on. You can also visit the remote hill tribe villages in the surrounding countryside, where you can learn about their local culture and buy unique handmade souvenirs at incredible prices.

Chiang Mai also has a zoo with a night safaribut this one is much quieter.

Instead of sitting in the back of a songtew (pick-up truck)) While watching the dark forest, you will sit in a small train and watch the animals in their cages (still fun, but much less wild).

But if you visit the zoo on a Sunday, check out the Night Safari Church, located inside the zoo.

See : Chiang Mai: the complete guide to the Rose of the North

See also :

Top 5 places you should visit in Thailand

Source: The Thaiger