The Top Family-Friendly Destinations in Thailand

As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket has an abundance of things for families to enjoy, including beautiful beaches where little ones can splash in the sea and play on soft sand. Add to this the sprawling Splash Jungle Water Park and a wealth of activities for older children like karting, wakeboarding and wildlife-spotting, and it’s clear that Phuket is a first-rate Thai family hotspot. Phuket Bird Park and Phuket Aquarium are other excellent attractions for all the family to enjoy.

Phuket Trickeye Museum and Baan Teelanka Upside House provide many opportunities for fun photos for the family album. Captivating shows like Siam Niramit and Phuket FantaSea offer exciting cultural experiences. There are plenty of family-friendly hotels and resorts, many of which have kids’ clubs and babysitting services – perfect for parents who need a breather.

With beautiful mainland beaches and lush islands, Krabi is a great choice for families who love seaside holidays. Take boat trips to visit islands like Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, or unwind on the sandy shores of Railay and Ao Nang Beaches. Ao Nam Mao Outdoor Aquarium is a terrific place to learn more about the underwater world.

Spend active days in nature at the wildlife-rich Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and Thung Teo Forest Natural Park, where you can hike up to waterfalls and soak in hot springs. The prehistoric landscapes at Susan Hoi are sure to capture young imaginations and beautiful temples add a cultural side to your trip. Older children can try their hand at various activities, including rock climbing and sea kayaking.

Located between southern Thailand and Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan is perhaps most famous for the seaside town of Hua Hin. There are many accommodations and dining options in the town and it’s a great base for exploring the wider area. Old and young alike can have heaps of fun at Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle and Black Mountain Water Park.

The provincial capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan boasts Ao Manao, a tranquil beach favoured by locals, and kids can get up close and personal with cute dusky leaf monkeys at Khao Lommuak. Unlike their macaque cousins at the nearby temple of Wat Thammikaram Worawihan, the lovely dusky leaf monkeys will gently take food from the palm of your hand. Plus, their babies are bright yellow! Take a boat ride to Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park and peer inside the atmospheric cave or join an elephant-spotting safari at Kui Buri National Park. With an almost 99% chance of seeing wild elephants, it’s sure to be an exciting experience for children and adults alike.

There are so many fantastic things for children to enjoy in bustling Bangkok. Spend fun days at places like Dream World and Safari World, and escape the busy city streets at the large Lumpini Park. Many hotels have pools and there are several fabulous water parks to make up for the lack of beaches nearby.

See a different side of the city with a ride on a long-tail boat along the khlongs (canals) of Thonburi. Pass gleaming temples and palaces, which inspire both big and little kids alike. Catch the smells of sizzling street food wafting from the city’s bustling markets. Kids can get hands-on at places like the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Museum of Siam, while younger children can have heaps of fun playing at being grown-ups at Kidzania and Imaginia Playground.

Often referred to as the northern Thai capital, Chiang Mai offers a much more laid-back family holiday than Bangkok. Ideal for families who love spending time in the great outdoors, several operators arrange jungle trekking experiences suitable for people of all ages. See a range of flora and fauna, soak up incredible views and swim at the bottom of beautiful waterfalls. Adventurous families can bond over activities such as rafting, kayaking and ziplining, and you’ll find many cool activities at Chiang Mai X Centre.

There are ethical elephant camps where your little ones can come face to face with Thailand’s majestic national animal. Seeing the pandas at Chiang Mai Zoo is often a highlight for kids, while Siam Insect Zoo and Chiang Mai Night Safari offer even more animal fun. Step back in time at gleaming temples and with a walk around the Old City, visit ethnic hill tribes and pick up souvenirs at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Chiang Rai is perfect for families who like adventure and stepping somewhat off the beaten track. There are plentiful opportunities for jungle trekking and meeting hill-tribe groups, with trips that are tailored for kids. Visit the Golden Triangle and stand at the point where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Venture a little further and stop by hot springs and spurting geysers.

Don’t miss seeing Chiang Rai’s town clock in action as it strikes the hour, when it lights up and plays music in a brilliant display. Children and adults alike can marvel at the gleaming White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seua Ten) and the Black House (Baan Dam). Stay in a rustic homestay or cute guesthouse to immerse your kids in the Thai way of life.

A charming riverside gem in western Thailand, Kanchanaburi has spectacular nature and interesting history to discover. While younger visitors may not be so interested in learning about the area’s past, a train ride along the scenic Death Railway is both poignant and thrilling.

Admire beautiful waterfalls like Sai Yok Noi and Erawan, explore caves filled with interesting rock formations and see the huge raintree at Dan Makham Tia District. You can trek through jungles and meet elephants at ethical camps and, while there are plentiful accommodation options, a few nights stay on a floating raft house makes for something really memorable. Add fascinating temples like Wat Tham Sua, water parks and an exhilarating treetop adventure park and the whole family is sure to have a brilliant time.

Chonburi Province is located along the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand. Although primarily associated with Pattaya (one of Thailand’s most notorious nightlife destinations), there is also a huge amount of things to see and do with children. Spend days lazing on sandy beaches, visit nearby islands and try an array of water sports. Marvel at the intricate wooden carved beauty of The Sanctuary of Truth and be mystified by the curiosities at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Observe numerous creatures at Khao Kheow Open Zoo and shriek for joy on an exhilarating eco-adventure at Chonburi Flight of the Gibbon. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a colourful wonderland filled with fragrant flowers, statues and water features, whilst the petting zoo and bird zone are sure to appeal to younger members of the family. Learn more about the ocean deep at Underwater World Pattaya and get wet and wild at a variety of water parks. A floating market, urban farms, temples and museums provide even more great outings.

Situated along the Gulf of Thailand and close to the border with Cambodia, Trat boasts several stunning islands where families can enjoy an awesome vacation. Koh Chang is the most popular island, with sublime white-sand beaches fringing a jungle-clad mountain interior. There are animal encounters, including a snake farm, and a handful of cultural sites to explore such as the temples of Salak Kok and Bang Bao, Chao Po Shine and various fishing villages.

Neighbouring Koh Mak is much smaller and has a remote, tranquil feel. Bask on beautiful beaches, go snorkelling, take boat trips and enjoy nature. Koh Kut (Koh Kood) is a blissfully undeveloped island ideal for families looking to reconnect with nature. Try activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and hiking through the forests. Meet the local sea gypsy community at Ao Salat, swim in pristine waterfalls and dine on fresh seafood.

Thailand’s largest province of Nakhon Ratchasima, located in Isan, is famous for being home to the country’s first national park: Khao Yai National Park. Take the kids exploring in the jungle and spot a range of flora and fauna. There are trails to suit all ability levels, though many of the park’s main features can also be easily accessed by road. Thundering waterfalls and scenic lookout points add to the diversity. Have fun camping in the wild or check into a lovely guesthouse for some home comforts.

You’ll find attractions like the working Farm Chokchai, with its cowboy-style appeal, and the countryside adventure park of Thongsomboon Club, located close to the park’s main entrance. Feeling the heat? Check out the water park of Scenical World. Elsewhere in the province, the hilly town of Wang Nam Khiao is home to tourist-focused farms, waterfalls and quirky attractions, while Phimai offers a journey back in time at ancient ruins.