Many believe that taking a trip outside their immediate vicinity is very expensive, especially when traveling to a different country with family members. However, it doesn’t cost so much.
For about $1,000 per person, one can have a one-month vacation or reduce the duration to a few days or a week while opting for more luxury.
In general, a lot of attention goes into planning a family trip which requires a lot of resources and attention; it’s different than grabbing a backpack and heading into the unknown.
The decision to go out for a family vacation in Thailand comes with some responsibility. Researching and budgeting is an integral part of the trip; it could be more important than the trip itself.
Every detail is important, whether it is the location, accommodation, activities, or even food. Making the wrong plans can ensure you have a trip that no one wishes for.
There are a few things to consider when planning a family getaway in Thailand. A few tips for your arrangement will go a long way to help.
Choose The Right Destination
What part of Thailand to spend time in is a very important conversation you should have with your family. Although every part of Thailand has a vibrant tourism industry, you’d still have a great time regardless of which province you choose.
However, it’s important you know your destination before you set out on a trip.
Bangkok is where most travelers show up first. It ranks top of the list of most visited cities in the world, and its visitors consist mostly of backpack travelers.
However, Chiang Mai is a more interesting place as compared to Bangkok. Being the northern capital comes with some perks.
Life within this old city of Chiang Mai is more manageable and less stressful to navigate than the city of Bangkok. The energy is just different. This is much appreciated when you have kids traveling with you.
There are outdoor markets, good food, inexpensive massage parlors, and cheap transport to Bangkok either by train or air.
Another place that’ll be worth your consideration is Phuket which is in the southern part of Thailand on the Andaman Sea. It is the largest island in Thailand.
It’s one of the most visited islands in Thailand, with gorgeous beaches, beautiful temples, animal sanctuaries, and good restaurants. It might be better than Bangkok. I am just saying.
Looking for family-friendly places in Thailand, this is your spot. All of the cities of Thailand offer cooking classes for those interested in it.
Tips For Choosing The Right Destination For Your Family
The list of activities planned for the trip so much influences the destination. Everything is only available in some places, so knowing where to do what is the first step.
The next thing to be considered is the ease of getting around the city. If one were to travel alone, it wouldn’t be an issue, but every detail is important when kids come into the picture.
There are a lot of kid-friendly places in Thailand, and considering the age of the kids, one could check for childcare services and centers.
Plan Your Itinerary
Blind dates turn out well sometimes, but there’s rarely a time that blind trips turn out fine. Meticulous attention has to be given to every step planned. A little oversight can result in great discomfort in the course of your family getaway in Thailand.
There are a lot of tourist agencies in Thailand, but if you wish to save more to cover your flight tickets (which is the most expensive thing you’d have to pay for), you can make your arrangements for little cost.
There is no need to book trips ahead of time because one can easily get around by various means of transportation.
Travel agencies, hotels, and resorts keep guidebooks handy for tourists wishing to get by independently. Whether you’re in Koh Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Krabi, the experience is all the same.
One of the most visited places that always finds its way into every guidebook for the island, Koh Samui, is Chaweng Beach. It’s the busiest beach in Koh Samui, so if being in the thick is what your family needs, this is perfect.
However, if your family needs some quiet, there’s Mae Nam to keep you occupied.
As indicated earlier, many resorts offer kids’ programs and many family-friendly activities to choose from. You can make yourself available as a volunteer at an animal rescue center and make new furry friends. I know of places with almost the same itinerary, like Bologna, and it’s worth every minute for you to relax and unwind.
Tips For Creating A Family-friendly Itinerary
Just like in considering your family’s destination, the size of your family and the age of your family members are important factors. Having anybody left out isn’t in the best interest of everyone.
If you are in Bangkok, a cooking class will be very inclusive of all family members. You all could move to Ko Kret for pancake-making classes with a local family.
After the class, you all could head to an animal rescue center to help care for the animals while learning and having fun with your family. From there, a visit to the Muang Boran Museum is well recommended for the kids.
After spending some time in the North, you can head South for some beach experience. You could still add some horse riding, temple tours, and cooking classes to spice it up a notch.
The cost of living in Thailand is quite low compared to many countries, so transportation doesn’t cost much. If you love romance and the beach, then you’d love this post on Fiji’s honeymoon destinations.
Accommodations
The cost of accommodation varies, but it’s still cheap. Depending on how much luxury your family plans on drenching themselves in, accommodation could set you back a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per night.
If the intention is a low-key stay with less luxury and more dwelling among locals, it’ll be in your family’s best interest to opt for a bungalow with a fan. That’ll cost about $6 per night.
However, if the plan is luxury, it’ll set you back about $200 per night for a five-star hotel.
Accommodation is more expensive between November & April because that is the busiest period in the tourism sector of Thailand. To get better deals, it’s best to visit between July & September.
You should check this out for a comprehensive comparison of hotel and resort options and tips on choosing accommodations based on your budget, location, and amenities.
Food And Dining
What is a family getaway in Thailand without Thai food?
Thailand is also known to have mouth-watering dishes. Thai cuisine, over time, has gained a reputation for its incorporation of local dishes into international recipes while maintaining its originality.
Thai dishes are more or less lightly prepared, but there are a lot of statements made by their strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. Simplicity isn’t a consideration.
And whether your family leans more into street food, market food or prefers a well-set table in a food court/restaurant, there’s something for everyone.
No matter where you are located, there are some good options for Thai cuisines around, be you a vegetarian or not.
A few places that will be named include Siri Mahannop (which is an outdoor restaurant housed on a yacht), Market Café, and Nami Teppanyaki Steakhouse, all in Bangkok.
In Phuket, there is Takieng, Coffee Talk Old Phuket Town, and Golden Paradise Restaurant(North Indian Curry House).
Tips For Navigating Food Allergies And Dietary Restrictions
A good way to ensure you don’t eat anything you’re allergic to is to verify the ingredients of the food you’re about to eat. Don’t include anything that poses a threat to your health.
The same goes for every other dietary restriction.
Transportation
One needs no introduction to the need for a solid structure around transportation. But if you need some enlightenment, paying 100% – 300% extra on transportation will surely do the job.
There are 9 modes of transportation in Thailand. The first involves a 3-wheel vehicle known as Tuk-tuk which can take 2-3 passengers at a time. There needs to be a meter in these vehicles so that the fare can get high in the absence of good negotiation skills.
The next is the Taxi. Around the same rate as the Tuk-tuk but is a lot more convenient. They mostly have meters, so before you enter one, verify if there’s a meter in the vehicle. Also, compare the prices before choosing which means to use. The prices are mostly between 21 cents – 35 cents.
More modes of transportation include motorcycle taxis, songthaew, buses, trains, skyways, subways, and flights. One can also make arrangements for car rental services.
Tips For Getting Around With Children
When traveling with kids, especially toddlers, choose safety above another thing. A Tuk-tuk can work for adults and teenagers with some sense of awareness, but with toddlers that can innocently swing their arms outside the vehicle, there are better options.
Getting a car seat and stroller for a toddler will go a long way toward helping the movement. You can always get a new one or a fairly used one..
Safety And Health
Whether traveling or not, health and safety is a major considerations for anyone, in the event of making a family trip, the need for a well-thought-out plan becomes even more evident.
There are no specific vaccines to take when traveling to Thailand, so it’s best you just take the regular vaccines for common illnesses travelers to take, which include: typhoid, tetanus, and a few others.
There’s no chance of one contracting malaria or Zika virus in Thailand. However, dengue fever is a serious threat, and there isn’t an approved vaccine yet. One can stay safe by taking treatment drugs.
For safety, always pay attention to your luggage and your family members. Never leave the company of others without telling them where you’re heading, especially at night. A Thailand family getaway should be something other than a search and rescue mission.
Cultural Considerations
Thai culture as we know it is a fine mix of local customs, animist beliefs, and ethnic and cultural practices. Buddhism has also played an important role in shaping the distinctive qualities that define the national identity of Thailand; this is known today as Thainess.
Thai culture has also, in many ways, been influenced by numerous other cultures. From neighboring tribes to the faraway Japanese, Chinese, Persian, Indian, and Portuguese nations, none hasn’t rubbed off on Thai culture as we know it.
Buddhism is the most dominant religion in the country, with over 40,000 temples. Islam, Christianity, and a few other faiths are also practiced.
Thailand’s government has set a policy known as 5F to ensure the sustainability of the culture. This includes legislation around the film, food, fashion, fighting, and festivals.
For a proper immersion into the tribe’s cultural heritage, a trip to the museum is highly recommended. Muang Boran Museum is a great destination for kids as it features over 200 replicas of cultural artifacts.
Many other kid-friendly places in Thailand encourage cultural education.
Tips For Respecting Local Customs And Traditions
The Wai, which is a prayer-like gesture, is used for a greeting, apologizing, leave-taking, acknowledgment, or any other applicable statement.
The head is considered the most honorable part of the body, and the leg is the most dishonorable. Therefore, touching someone’s head or pointing/touching something with the leg is frowned upon.
Also, while sitting, one must not sit with their legs pointing in the direction of someone. So when one sits on the ground, one must sit with the legs tucked to the side or behind them.
Conflict is to be shunned, and serenity embraced.
The national anthem is played across all media outlets at 08:00 AM and 06:00 PM. Everyone at this time is expected to stand at attention and pay homage to the national flag. Failure to do so attracts a fine of $58 and a one-year jail time.
In Conclusion
Thailand is a beautiful country where one can relax, unwind, have fun, and still learn. The culture has been seamlessly integrated into their everyday activities, making Thailand a wonderful getaway place.
This post is strongly recommended for more reading on family-friendly places in Thailand. If you’re also looking for other places to spend some time with your family, we recommend you check out this best beach destinations for every traveler.
If there is one thing I know about tourists and nature enthusiasts is that they always love to find out more places to explore in the world that offer breathtaking experiences.
Thank you, and have a great vacation.
