Thai people generally adore children and your kids will be treated like celebrities everywhere you go. A Thailand vacation is quite safe for families and luxury accommodation is reasonably priced. If you are staying on one of the islands such as Phuket or Koh Samui (which are very child friendly), you will be able to rent a luxury villa with private pool and sea views for a fraction of the price of such accommodation elsewhere.
If you are looking for a beach vacation and want to explore Thailand’s islands, Koh Samui and Phuket are great options for families. Both can be easily accessed by air from Bangkok and have large supermarkets and pharmacies which stock baby food, nappies, wipes and other essentials. Both islands also have good medical facilities which means you are not relying on ferries or boats as you might be on the smaller islands, in case of illness.
Pictured – Tasama Pra Villa, Koh Samui
Koh Samui
Koh Samui lies on the east coast and can be reached by air (hourly flights), train and ferry from Bangkok. The best beaches for kids are located on the North side of the island. Chaweng is the main tourist town and if you are looking for restaurants and bars this is the best spot to stay in. However, there are many quieter options which are a lot more family friendly. For example, Bo Phut and Mae Nam are ideal spots for babies and young children as they are quieter.
The best activities for kids in Koh Samui lie on the south coast of Koh Samui where you can ride elephants to the two jungle waterfalls or visit the Samui Butterfly Garden. Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo is another great option for younger kids where they can explore the underwater world of Koh Samui and see colourful fish, sea lions and tigers. There are also water parks with smaller attractions for younger kids such as the Pink Elephant Waterpark and Coco Splash Adventure and Waterpark.
Older kids will be able to snorkel on all parts of the island and there are also plenty of family cooking classes. For an exciting day trip you can travel by boat to Ang Thong Marine Park, where you will see a tropical archipelago of 42 islands and perhaps some wildlife up-close (this trip is best for older kids as babies and toddlers may feel confined on a boat). The Big Buddha is another must see for visitors to the island.
You will be able to travel around Koh Samui by taxi or bus. There are a number of taxi operators which will supply you with an infant car seat or booster seat for younger kids. There is a Tesco Lotus on the island which offers food, formula, fresh fruit, yoghurt, nappies, wipes and disposable nappy sacks.
Pictured – Villa Kalyana Villa, Koh Samui
Phuket
Phuket lies off the south-west coast of Thailand and is another great option for family vacations, offering both relaxation and plenty of activity. It is a comparatively large island and the best way to get here is to fly from Bangkok (flight time 1 hour and 25) minutes. Kamala beach is one of the best spots for kids. It has restaurants all along the beach, some with kids toys out on the sand and a playground next to the beach. Kata Beach, Mai Khao Beach and Karon Beach are also great options for kids of all ages.
Kids will love Phuket with its stunning sandy beaches and huge range of activities. Phuket Fantasia in Kamala Beach is a great option for kids of all ages. There is a theatrical light show with magic, acrobats and animals. There is also a shopping strip, a games arcade, animals and elephant rides.
Phuket Aquarium, Phuket Zoo and Phuket Bird Park will suit kids of all ages and the Upside-down House, which also has a maze will entertain the whole family. The Trickeye 3D Museum is fun for all the family as is Ghostinium, a small museum with displays of moving aliens, dinosaurs, a crocodile and King Kong.
If your kids like waterparks, Rawai Park is a fantastic option for all age groups and includes attractions for 2-12 year olds and two indoor playgrounds. The Splash Jungle Waterpark also has plenty of water play areas for younger kids and a lazy river.
Patong and Phuket Town are not places that Kinder Travel Guide would recommend you stay in with young kids but if you are visiting or passing through you will be able to buy all your baby and toddler necessities here. If you do visit Patong, there is a beach and playground and younger kids will love the Kids Club Patong, an indoor play centre which is fully supervised. This is especially good at very hot times of day.
You will find Tesco Lotus and Boots on the island which sell all of your baby and toddler essentials and it is possible to rent baby equipment on the island. Taxis with infant car seats and booster seats are also available.
Fast Facts
- The best time to visit Koh Samui and Phuket is between the months of November and March.
- Baby formula, nappies, wipes and jars of food are readily available in minimarkets, supermarkets and 7-Elevens in larger towns and cites.
- Medicine and creams for burns and nappy rash are sold at pharmacies and Boots pharmacies can now be found throughout the country.
- The powdered formula in Thailand is good quality however, the instructions are likely to be in Thai and you may need help to interpret them.
- Bring sun protection and long sleeved loose cotton clothing and UV protected swim wear if possible.
- Bring insect protection as there are plenty of mosquitos on both Koh Samui and Phuket. You cannot use DEET on infants however, there are alternative repellents available. Click here for more information on insect protection.
- If you taking a vacation to Thailand with a baby or toddler, you might consider bringing a fold up high chair and changing mat as you may not be able to find these in restaurants and hotels. Department stores may offer baby changing facilities.
- If you cannot find what you need in a smaller supermarket, Tesco Lotus, Big C or Tops Market stores are generally found in the suburbs of larger towns and can be reached easily by taxi.
- Emergency Numbers – Tourist Police 1155/ Police (General Emergency Call) 191/ Ambulance and Rescue 1554.
This article has been sponsored however as always the views expressed in this article are Kinder Travel Guide’s. Kinder Travel Guide only promotes high quality services & products which will benefit parents in their travels with young kids.
