If you are looking for vacation ideas, consider a family trip to Thailand. Thailand’s child-friendly culture makes Thailand places to visit with family a great vacation choice. The beaches have shallow waters and gentle bays that are especially good for beginning swimmers. Interactive cooking classes, trekking with elephants, island snorkelling, and special cultural excursions will make an unforgettable Thai family vacation. Here are five of the best holiday destinations spots for families with kids to visit in Thailand.

1. Chiang Mai

For the advantages of a big city but with a friendly small-town atmosphere head to Chiang Mai. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park located 36 miles from the city. The area’s more than 330 species of birds have made it very popular with bird watchers. Take binoculars, pack a picnic lunch, and spot some of these colourful feathered creatures as you walk around the park admiring all the historical relics and treasures scattered throughout the park.

For a magnificent culture experience in itself, the whole family will enjoy the Night Bazaar. It is open daily from sundown until midnight. Brightly lit with lively music, delicious aromas, colourful crowds, and of course great bargains make the Night Bazaar a hit with the tourist of all ages.

Thai food has a reputation for being some of the worlds best, and kids over the age of 7 have to chance to enjoy cooking classes by the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School.

Be sure to visit the Maesa Elephant Camp where children can feed the elephants and even ride them.

2. Bangkok

Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia’s best-loved travel destinations. Most international flights to Thailand land here, so stay a night or two in this fascinating city. Touring Bangkok’s Siam Ocean World and Safari World will be something the kids will be thrilled to do, not to mention so much to learn about. Ocean world features a huge display of life under the sea and Safari World introduces them too much of the country’s amazing wildlife.

If you are in Bangkok with the family on a weekend, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place to be with its 35 acres and 8000 market stalls of everything imaginable on sale from lamps to pythons. Brave the crowds for ethnic shopping at its best.

Everyone of any age loves a dinner cruise. Take the family aboard one of the dinner cruises. These delightful cruises introduce you to the sights of the city as you wind along the Chao Phraya River.

3. Krabi

Located in southern Thailand and comprised of hundreds of beautiful islands boasting fantastic beaches like Railay Beach and Ao Nang Beach, Krabi is a firm favourite for families looking for fun outdoor activities.

Lacking the crowds of Bangkok and Phuket, Krabi is just as well connected, with glitzy family-friendly evening shows at the Paka Show Park and a host of cultural sights like Wat Kaew Temple that won’t disappoint.

Krabi really comes into its own, however, with its outdoor adventures. From boat rides through island hopping over emerald waters, it’s no wonder that many choose Krabi for family holidays due to the plenitude of memory making moments.

Families are well tended to with a variety of accommodation types, with the best hotel in Krabi for family visits being in the popular town of Ao Nang. Here, a family-friendly hotel like Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach provides an excellent atmosphere for families right on the coast.

4. Hua Hin

Hua Hin is another family-friendly place to visit in Thailand. It’s easy to get to from Bangkok and it’s easy on the family as well. The beaches are expansive, sandy, and peaceful. This quiet, laid back town has become the premier weekend getaway for Bangkok residents. You can soak up both sun and culture at this seaside resort city.

Monkey Mountain, overlooking Hua Hin is a must-see attraction for families. The kids will love feeding bananas to the resident monkeys, and parents will be enthralled with Cicada Market and its display of all forms of contemporary art.

Sam Roi Yot National Park is about an hour’s drive away from Hua Hin. Take a side trip there to marvel at mangrove swamps, limestone mountains, and magnificent beaches.

5. Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is located in Phang Nga Bay 30 minutes by speedboat from Phuket. Ko Yao No, which means “Small Long Island” has a stunning landscape with mangrove forests along the west coast and expansive east coast beaches with a view of the towering karst islands.

Ko Yao Noi is a small island with an amazing tourism infrastructure of private villas and luxury resorts. But if they are too pricey for you, no worries. Some beach bungalows are scattered about that fit the family budget.

Drinking alcohol is minimized here helping the island remain family friendly. Favourite family activities include relaxing on the beach, sea kayaking, snorkelling, rock climbing, and taking scenic bike rides.

Thailand offers many opportunities for the family to experience an exotic vacation of a lifetime. The children will learn so much, and the whole family will never forget their adventures in the amazing country of Thailand.

6. Koh Samui

You will find plenty of family-oriented things to do and see in Koh Samui, a phenomenal island escape off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. The people here love to cater to visitors travelling with children. Many of the resorts here feature kids clubs with programs designed for kids of all ages.

An amazing amount of activities in Koh Samui are packed within a small area. Finding kid-friendly things to do and see in Koh Samui is easy. You will find temples to explore, jungle adventures on 4-wheelers, snorkelling tours, full-day fishing adventures, speed boat tours and activities in Koh Samui to involve and thrill the whole family. Of course, you can always lounge on the island’s pristine beach.

The island of Koh Samui has great places for dining with the family. Sample Thai food with an afternoon tea, an evening street food walking tour, a four-course dining experience, or a special Sunday brunch with your family.

About the Author

As a life of a digital nomad, Maryn Mcdonnell is also a travel lifestyle writer who loves exploring the world and shares her travel experiences with other passionate travellers out there! Find Maryn on Twitter @MarynMcdonnell