One of the most fascinating South East Asian destinations to visit with kids, Thailand is a country of immense natural beauty and intriguing culture. Thailand Holidays with the kids are fun and rewarding.
The kids will love Thailand’s energy and its unique attractions, and you’ll love seeing them make exciting new discoveries as you explore together some of the best places to visit. Here is our top five.
Khao Sok National Park
In Southern Thailand, explore the natural beauty and wonder of Khao Sok National Park; discover an ancient evergreen rainforest – the oldest in the world – and immense limestone mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, caves and native animals and plants, including the rare rafflesia flower. Kids will delight in screwing their noses up at its pungent smell. Wear solid walking shoes and trek on foot or book a family safari for the overnight experience of a lifetime.
Phang Nga Bay
In Thailand’s famous Phang Nga Bay marvel at limestone cliffs and mangroves, and Koh Tapu, the great rock on Khao Ping Gan, better known as James Bond Island after ‘The Man With The Golden Gun,’ was filmed there. Start out early from Phuket, hire a longtail boat and visit the floating village, Koh Panyee. Pay the nominal National Park fee to access the island, and take out kayaks to play pirates and explore the caves.
Phuket FantaSea and Siam Niramit
Phuket’s biggest and brightest tourist attractions, the original Phuket FantaSea and the newer Siam Niramit are essential viewing if you’re travelling to Thailand with kids. Spectacular shows, with casts of hundreds, including acrobats and performing animals, tell tales of Thai history and culture. Find Phuket FantaSea at the north end of Kamala Beach and Siam Niramit north of Phuket town for the best brand of family entertainment away from the beach in Phuket.
Phuket Aquarium
Phuket Aquarium boasts more than 30 tanks of South East Asian freshwater and saltwater species from local lakes, rivers and the Andaman Sea. Take time in the underwater tunnel to see sharks, rays, snappers, giant groupers, wrasse, shrimp and crabs up close. See pipefish, seahorse and Nemo’s famous friends in the Coral Reef Life display. Follow a nature trail to the turtles and learn about habitats and conservation along the way.
Elephant Trekking
The best Thai elephant treks allow kids to feed the elephants and learn how to care for them. At the top of Thailand near Laos and Burma, discover Anantara, home to the elephant foundation since 2005. Here, in the elephant’s natural environment in the north, you’ll enjoy a unique, personal experience and get to know your elephant during a gentle jungle trek and a delightful swim in the river at the end of the day.
Start planning your getaway to Thailand, you’ll be certain it’s one the kids won’t forget in a hurry!
About the author
Xanthe Coward is a theatre reviewer and blogger who loves to travel and talk to the animals.