Few places in Asia are better than Thailand for a family holiday with kids. The Land of Smiles, with its fascinating culture and history, stunning beaches, kind and welcoming Thai people, lip-smacking Thai food, and a world of crazy activities, is the perfect destination for family holidays. Whether you are traveling with your toddler or teen, there’s plenty to keep all of you engaged. 

While the entire country is perfect for a holiday family, here are our top 3 picks you must visit for your upcoming family holiday with kids. 

Bangkok 

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand, filled with glittering lights, a lot of hustle and bustle, and a bit of chaos. It is a haven for shoppers and food lovers and is packed with family-friendly activities, making it the perfect destination to start your Thailand holiday. 

The attractions and activities you must not miss while in Bangkok are:

  1. SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World: Located in the basement of the Siam Paragon shopping center complex, this vast aquarium gives kids a chance to explore marine life up close. There are over 400 species on display. 
  2. Safari World Bangkok – Covering an area of 200 acres, this is one of the largest open-air zoos in Asia and home to more than 100 varieties of animal species. The park has two main sections, Marine Park and Safari Park. You and your kids can get up close and personal with wild animals wandering freely in their natural habitat. 
  3. Buddhist Temples – Learn about Buddhist culture by visiting Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Wat Phra Kaew. 
  4. Markets – Exploring the special markets in Bangkok is a fun activity for kids and adults. Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most famous floating market, and Maeklong Railway Market. Squeeze a visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market and shop till you drop. 

Phuket 

Are you a beach-loving family? Head to Phuket, the largest island in Thailand. You’ll face no hassle reaching this beach destination, especially if you are in Bangkok. You can easily book a bus to Phuket via SiamTickets and reach paradise to enjoy watersports activities, high-octane nightlife, and upbeat markets. 

While in Phuket, do not miss these:

  1. Phuket FantaSea: This is a Thai cultural theme park spread across 30 acres with a shopping street, the world’s grandest 4,000-seat dining facility to gorge on royal Thai dishes, and a 3,000-seat theater that houses Las Vegas-style theatrical production. Escape into this fantastical world with your kids and have the time of your life! 
  2. Splash Jungle Water Park: Hailed as the best water park in Phuket, it offers different kinds of rides and a lazy river. Whether you are after an adrenaline rush or a rejuvenating day in the water, this park has you covered. There are also other water parks worth checking out, such as Andamanda or Blue Tree Water Park. 
  3. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket: Here, kids are offered the opportunity to interact with elephants. You can feed, bathe, and play with baby and adult elephants. Kids even get the chance to prepare food for the elephants and even join them in muddy waters for playtime. 

Chiang Mai 

Chiang Mai is perfect for peaceful family holidays with plenty of fun for kids. The city has a wide array of activities that spark a sense of adventure and curiosity in children. Also, there are plenty of exciting activities for all ages, including local markets, a great zoo, museums, cooking schools, and so on. The surrounding countryside offers rafting, trekking, elephant sanctuaries, and zip-lining. You can even interact with remote hill tribe communities. 

When you come to Chiang Mai, don’t miss out on these activities:

  1. Elephant Nature Park: This is a leading elephant rescue and rehabilitation center welcoming people for full-day and half-day morning or afternoon trips to Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary. Volunteer opportunities and overnight stays, including accommodation and food, are available. Bring your kids for an educational and wholesome experience. 
  2. Chiang Mai’s Hidden Village – This is the city’s most toddler-friendly attraction, packed with dinosaur sculptures and imaginary creatures. You can spend a relaxing day with your kids here, letting them loose to explore the village.

Besides these three obvious family-friendly destinations in Thailand, Pai is an alternative option you can consider visiting. Pai is not just a great place for a family holiday but also has a thriving community of migrant and local Thai families. Go rafting or jungle trekking, visit a circus training school, soak in the hot springs, and enjoy a wide array of healthy and delicious food. Pai is best reached by renting a car from Chiang Mai. 

Final Thoughts 

It is impossible to cover all the destinations on your first Thailand visit. Start with these three (or four) places and then make it a point to have a family holiday in Thailand every year or two to explore other amazing destinations, such as Krabi, Chiang Rai, Khao Sok, Kanchanaburi, Phi Phi Islands, and more.