How to Plan a Family Vacation to Thailand

Planning a family trip requires more thought than traveling alone, especially when children are involved. To ensure a smooth and fun trip, you might want to look at a guide on how to plan a family vacation to Thailand. Activities like heading to elephant sanctuaries, having a scuba dive, and taking a longtail boat ride are all things to look forward to. Curious to find out more? Just keep reading.

Best Time to Visit Thailand With Family

The best time to visit Thailand with family is from November to early March. This is Thailand's dry season, and most regions experience cooler temperatures, which are easier for children to adjust to. During this period, the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear, making it ideal for various outdoor activities. And best of all, your trip won't be easily disrupted by sudden rain, so you can enjoy every moment without stress.

Celebrating Christmas in Thailand with your family is sure to be an interesting experience. Since Thailand is a tropical country, Christmas falls during the dry season, so there's no snow, and you can even wear short sleeves. You can consider it as a "summer Christmas", completely different from the traditional white Christmas. Even though Christmas is not a public holiday in Thailand, celebrations are still quite lively. But please note that this period is peak season, so be sure to book your accommodation and flights early.

How Many Days for a Family Vacation in Thailand

How long should my family trip to Thailand be? Many people would ask this question. Well, the ideal length for a family to stay in Thailand is 10 days, since you can visit the highlights of Thailand at a comfortable pace, such as Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

If your holiday is limited, a 7-day trip is not bad; Bangkok and Phuket can be added to your itinerary. But, for a slow-paced trip, you can extend your 10-day trip to 14 days. This allows you to cover all the main highlights while also reserving plenty of time for you and your children to rest. After all, kids always need to take a nap at noon.

Top Destinations for a Thailand Family Vacation

Bangkok

Bangkok City View

As Thailand's capital, Bangkok is a perfect starting point for a family trip. With its abundant temples, Bangkok has the strongest Buddhist atmosphere in Thailand. It is an excellent destination for children aged 12 and up to engage with local culture, and it's a favorite spot for seniors as well. For younger, more energetic kids, Happy & Healthy Bike Lane (a bicycle park) is a fantastic option to burn off some energy. Older children can cycle too, of course. Additionally, Bangkok has many other places suitable for children, such as Siam Amazing Park, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, and the Children's Discovery Museum. You won't have to worry about your kids getting bored at these places.

Phuket

I bet you and your family will love this place. Phuket is one of the most popular islands in Thailand. For those who love playing on the beach, this is paradise. This island has numerous family-friendly beaches, including Kata Beach, Kamala Beach, and Bangtao Beach, all featuring clear waters and soft sand. What's more, there are many resorts nearby equipped with child-friendly facilities, ensuring you relax and fully enjoy your time in Phuket.

During the rainy season (May to October), Koh Samui is a better choice than Phuket. Located in a sheltered position in the gulf, it often experiences less rain than other destinations. It also has many family-friendly beaches, such as Chaweng Beach, Lipa Noi, and Choeng Mon.

Chiang Mai

Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai

You'll probably want to return to Chiang Mai after your first visit. The cost of traveling here is relatively low, so even if you're going out with a large family, you won't have to worry about excessive expenses. What's more, there are rich cultural experiences that can broaden the horizons of your children. For example, ethical elephant sanctuaries, which are both fun and educational, will teach your kids about the importance of animal protection.

Elephants are considered national treasures in Thailand, symbols of luck and wisdom. Go spend a day with elephants at an elephant sanctuary. You can observe elephants' daily lives up close and learn about their habits. You'll also have opportunities to prepare food for them, help with their baths, or even join them on their daily walks. These activities are all about respect and connection, with no elephant riding involved. The Baan Chang Elephant Park is worth visiting.

In Chiang Mai, people celebrate the Sky Lantern Festival (Yi Peng Lantern Festival) in November. If you visit Chiang Mai at this time, you and your family can feel the festive atmosphere.

Best Things to Do With Kids in Thailand

Attend Thai Cooking Classes

The charm of Thai food is irresistible. Many people attend a Thai cooking class when they travel to Thailand, especially with their families. These classes are typically half a day, and you can choose either a morning or afternoon session. If you choose a morning session, you'll get the special treat of a trip to a local market, where your cooking teacher will teach you and your family about Thai spices and buy fresh ingredients. You can usually choose to make 3 to 5 dishes you're interested in, such as Som Tam (Papaya Salad), Tom Kha Gai (Chicken in Coconut Milk), and Green Curry. After cooking, you can enjoy these delicious meals with your family. Afterward, a Thai recipe book is often given as a gift, so you can continue making your Thai food back home. Cooking classes are available in many places throughout Thailand, and Bangkok is the most popular one.

Go Scuba Diving With Your Kids

If you and your family are passionate about adventure and the ocean, you've come to the right place. Thailand has many spots for scuba diving, where you can breathe freely underwater with an oxygen tank. Children aged 10 and above can dive with a professional instructor, wearing wetsuits and flippers, to see beautiful coral reefs, swim with adorable fish, and explore the mysteries of the sea. For younger kids who are almost 10, Bubble Maker diving is available for those aged 8 and up. This program, which stays in water no deeper than 2 meters, is a fantastic way for children to safely and joyfully learn fundamental scuba diving skills. You can bring masks and snorkels, but most dive sites make it easy with gear rentals on the spot. Popular destinations for these underwater experiences include Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Tao.

Take a Longtail Boat Ride

Longtail Boat Ride

Another thing you must try with your family in Thailand is taking a longtail boat ride. This traditional wooden boat can access areas that big boats can't reach. It has a special shape and a long propeller shaft. Also, the longtail boat is a classic symbol of the beautiful Thai scenery. A popular choice is the Bangkok canal tour, which typically lasts 1 to 2 hours and takes you along the klongs (canals) of the Chao Phraya River. Along the way, you'll see a Big Buddha statue and witness everyday life along the banks. The boat can sometimes reach high speeds (safely, of course), making for a fun, thrilling ride that's sure to keep the kids entertained. In addition to Bangkok, you can also experience longtail boats in Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.

A Family Vacation Itinerary Idea for Thailand

After reading all these interesting things, are you ready to have a family trip to Thailand? Here is a 10-day Thailand itinerary idea for you and your family. Hope it can satisfy you.

Days 1 - 3: Bangkok

Highlights:

• Going to the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia: Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World;
• Visiting the Grand Palace;
• Exploring the biggest wholesale market in Thailand: the flower and vegetable market;
• Taking a longtail boat cruise through Bangkok's canals;
• Heading to Ayutthaya (Thailand's old capital) for a day trip.

Days 4 - 6: Chiang Mai

Highlights:

• Getting to know the elephants at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary;
• Cycling through the streets of Chiang Mai towards the Ping River;
• Visiting a traditional Lanna family to experience the local life;
• Tasting authentic Thai food at the Waroros Fresh Food Market.

Days 7 - 10: Phuket

Highlights:

• Enjoy a family beach day at Patong or Kamala Beach;
• Speedboating to Phang Nga James Bond Island for a day trip;
• Having fun at the Phuket Fantasea theme park;
• Scuba diving at Koh Phi Phi.

Travel Tips for a Thailand Family Vacation

Hotel Policy With Kids

When booking a hotel in Thailand, you may need to pay attention to the policies regarding children. Most rooms can accommodate 2 adults and up to 2 children, with one child sharing a bed with an adult and the other requiring an extra bed (which is usually an extra charge and is limited to one per room). Children under 3 years old can stay for free. For children aged 4 to 11, an extra bed is generally available for half price (approximately 16 - 31 dollars). Children aged 12 and above are charged as adults. It's important to note that children under 17 are not allowed to check in alone and must be with an adult. Since some hotels don't offer extra beds, it's best to confirm this when you make your reservation. For a more comfortable family stay, you can ask the hotel if they offer connecting rooms when you book.

Pack Insect Protection Items

Thailand's climate is hot and humid, with insects commonly found in jungles and elephant sanctuaries. It's recommended to carry insect repellent spray and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants for the best protection.

Get Around Thailand With Family

For getting around, popular ride-hailing apps in Thailand include InDrive, Bolt, and Grab. However, it's suggested to use a private transfer, and Odynovo can arrange it for you. The vehicles are perfectly sized for a family, so you won't have to worry about the inconvenience of calling a car or handling a lot of luggage.

Thailand Food Tips

Delicious Thai Food

Thai cuisine tends to be spicy and sour. If you're not good at eating spicy food, remember to specify "mai phet" (not spicy) or "phet nit noi" (a little spicy) when ordering. Don't miss out on delicious food like Tom Yum Goong (Thai soup), Khao Pad (Thai fried rice), and Khao Niao Ma Muang (mango sticky rice) for dessert.

What to Pack for the Rain

If your trip is during the rainy season (May - October), a raincoat and a compact umbrella are essential. For kids, make sure they have non-slip or quick-drying shoes. For outdoor fun like elephant experiences or longtail boat tours, lightweight and comfortable clothes are ideal.