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Thailand family adventure guide

One of the most family friendly destinations in Asia, Thailand is not only home to beautiful beaches, it also has a rugged interior and offers plenty of memorable experiences for you and your brood, from temples to tuk tuk rides to trekking in dense rainforest. Read our guide to family vacations in Thailand to find out more.

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Thailand family adventures

Thailand is hugely popular with families looking for that magical combination of safe and exotic, thanks to excellent flight links, balmy weather, reliable infrastructure and fantastic food and accommodation. Most people come here for the beaches, and rightly so. They offer soft sand and clear, calm, tot-friendly waters; and also cater to a multitude of tastes, whether you’re looking for a busy resort hub or a quiet idyll where it’s just you, your family and a few rustic beach huts.

Family vacations in Thailand are all about adventure - think jungle trekking, rafting, elephant sanctuaries and exploring the underwater world

It’s not all about golden sands and swaying palm trees, though. Thailand’s landscape, wildlife and culture are wonderfully varied, and our trips are too, whether you go for a small group or a tailor made vacation designed to suit your family alone. Either way, you can be worry free, as activities, transport and accommodation are all arranged for you and you’ll have expert guides and tour leaders on hand throughout. So, for a true Thai adventure, step away from the beach and throw yourself into a wild world of dense rainforest, ancient temples and hidden hill tribes; where homestays, village visits and foodie explorations will help you and your family see a different side of this enchanting country.

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Where to go on a Thailand family adventure

Thailand is most famous for its sun-soaked coastline and islands, but the landscape is actually very diverse. The mountains in the north provide opportunities for gentle hikes and hill tribe encounters, while in central and southern Thailand, dense jungle promises waterfalls, rafting and treehouse sleeps. Meanwhile, the thriving modern cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai hide hundreds of cultural treats. The decent infrastructure means it’s simple to get around, with an excellent bus, train and boat network. Bear in mind, though, that the quieter, more remote islands will have less frequent ferry departures and remote national parks will need guides and accommodation booked in advance – so you’d do well to plan ahead!

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1. Bangkok
2. Chiang Mai
3. Elephant Nature Park
4. Khao Sok National Park
5. Koh Chang National Marine Park
6. River Kwai / Kanchanaburi

Bangkok

1. Bangkok

Most family journeys start and end in Bangkok, Thailand’s chaotic capital, where gracious temples and palaces live alongside high tech high rises and exuberant nightlife. While there’s little aimed specifically at kids, they’ll have a blast discovering floating markets, riding in tuk tuks and sampling weird and wonderful snacks at one of the city’s many street food markets.

Bangkok

Chiang Mai

2. Chiang Mai

A modern city with an ancient core, Chiang Mai’s smaller size and cooler temperatures make it more manageable than Bangkok, but it packs a hefty punch when it comes to activities. Get your kid-friendly kicks cycling the city’s backstreets, checking out frenetic night markets and toddling around temples. Or, head up into the mountains to visit one of the region’s hill tribes.

Elephant Nature Park

3. Elephant Nature Park

Thailand has long had a culture of working elephants, and a number of sanctuaries support those that have suffered at the hands of humans. At the Elephant Nature Park, just outside Chiang Mai, rescued elephants are cared for full-time, by both staff members and international volunteers. Children aged 12 and over can volunteer here alongside their parents, while younger ones are welcome to visit.

Elephant Nature Park

Khao Sok National Park

4. Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is a vast patchwork of lowland jungle, limestone caves, lakes and waterfalls that dates back 160 million years. Intrepid kids will relish sleeping in a rafthouse, traveling by longtail boat, hiking in the forests and canoeing or tubing along the river. Just make sure to bring your waterproofs – it’s Thailand’s rainiest spot.

Koh Chang National Marine Park

5. Koh Chang National Marine Park

Bypass the hectic beaches of Koh Samui or Phuket for the tranquility of this national marine park. There are plenty of islands to explore here, including bite-sized Koh Mak and rugged Koh Chang; and adventurous activities include canoeing through mangroves, swimming under waterfalls, snorkelling and diving the lively reefs and discovering remote fishing villages.

Koh Chang National Marine Park

River Kwai / Kanchanaburi

6. River Kwai / Kanchanaburi

Older kids will be moved by Kanchanaburi’s dark history. It’s home to the JEATH War Museum as well as the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, part of the Thailand-Burma Railway, whose construction caused the deaths of thousands of POWs. The town is surrounded by waterfall-filled jungle, with pools and rivers to bathe in, and floating raft houses in which to bed down.