Family Holidays: Thailand family holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

If you're looking for a truly unforgetable family holiday that's also going to prove manageable and highly enjoyable for all family members then Thailand is a great choice. Choose from a beach resort based trip or a thrilling adventure. Your kids will recount tales of riding through the jungle by elephant, exploring beautiful caves and playing on palm-fringed tropical beaches over and over again.

You will, however, need to take into account jetlag, the need for several jabs, some basic conditions during the trip (especially if you opt to spend a night with a tribal village), the heat at certain times of year and the cold at night, as well as Bangkok's busy streets.

Top left: Koh Samet Beach
Top right: Baby elephant

Middle left: Sweeping
Middle right: Beach

Bottom left: Boy with Elephant
Bottom middle: Temple Dragon
Bottom right: Rainforest Walk

When

Your family can visit Thailand at any time of year. The climate is tropical with little fluctuation in temperature through the year. The main seasons are:

Hot – March to May – average high in Chiang Mai is 34-36°C
Rainy – June to October – average high in Chiang Mai is 32°C
Cool – November to February – average high in Chiang Mai is 29°C

Bangkok tends to be fairly hot and humid throughout the year, whereas the hills outside Chiang Mai are generally cooler and drier – it can get very cold at night during the cool season, down to 1 or 2°C!

How

take the plane

Airlines serving Thailand with non-stop flights from the UK include British Airways, Thai and Quantas. If you're happy to stop enroute then there are numerous other options – you'll need to balance convenience with budget. Flying time is about 11 hours direct and Bangkok is 6 hours ahead.

Stay

Thailand offers every conceivable standard of hotel accommodation, ranging from intimate bungalows to moderm high rise chains to exclusive staffed villas. For resorts in Phuket (aka The Pearl of the South), Thailand's largest island, take a look at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. or Chedi Phuket. If a resort does not appeal then why not try an exclusive villa rental such as stunning Lanna Hill House, in northern Chiang Mai, (and save an exclusive 10%). Serviced by uniformed staff, (paid above the market rate), with well known chef Khun Tim, who has even cooked for Thai Royal family, affordable childcare and babysitting, on site massage and more, in a fabulous setting, you'll find it difficult to feel more looked after..

On an adventure trip you would spend two nights in a hotel, three in a guesthouse, six in bungalows and one in a berth on an overnight train. You can expect clean and comfortable accommodation, but not luxury. See Land of Smiles family adventure from The Adventure Company, Nature, Wildlife and Waterfalls from Tell Tale Travel, and Fabulous Thailand family adventure from Imaginative Traveller.

Do

An adventure trip to Thailand would provide the following experience:

Golden Temples & Tropical Beaches
Your Thailand family adventure holiday begins with an exhilarating ride by long-tailed boat along Bangkok’s canals. You’ll pause at fantastic temples with their golden spires, bizarre statues and saffron-robed Buddhist monks. Heading south you’ll slow right down for a few days on the quiet tropical island of Koh Samet – where your kids can play on white-sand beaches.

Hilltribes & Jungle
Next you’ll journey north by comfortable sleeper train to Chiang Mai, which is famous for its night market and friendly atmosphere. From here you’ll head out past terraced slopes along a winding mountain road to reach your simple accommodation at Soppong. The excitement builds as you’ll be able to ride elephants through the forest (optional). By exploring further on foot in this area you’ll discover amazing caves and fascinating hilltribe villages. Spending a night as guests in a local village (optional) is a real privilege and allows a unique glimpse into another way of life – the interaction between their children and yours will become a highlight of the trip!

Eat

You'll probably already be familiar with delicious Thai cuisine, which normally consists of a soup, a curry dish with condiments and a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. And, if that doesn’t suit, you'll find it relatively easy to seek out ‘Western’ food (albeit not in the middle of the jungle).

Cost

Flights to Thailand can be found for under £400 though you will pay more during the holidays. Accommodation costs vary tremendously. Adventure holiday inclusive prices start at £900 for adults for a shorter half-term itinerary and £1,200 for adults for a two week itinerary. An adult can enjoy a decent evening meal for under £5.