Things to Do in Thailand for kids
Things to do in Thailand with Kids!
Things to do in Thailand with Kids. Thailand with kids is one of our greatest, most fascinating and rewarding adventures we have embarked on yet. Set in the summer of 2011, Travel With Kids Thailand is a memorable journey through South East Asia’s crown city of Bangkok, up to the north western jungles near Burma, and down to the epic beaches of the Andaman Sea.
Our hotel was a modest hotel right on the river. Perfect location. Location is everything when traveling with kids and we never spend much time in the room, so we usually opt for basic mid level hotels in great locations. Usually near historic areas so we really get into the culture of the area. This hotel was a definite upgrade with views over the river and golden temples and a rooftop pool. Plus, the hotel has a water bus stop, so it was easy to get around. Plus the always fun Tuk Tuk was readily available outside. Across the street was an authentic narrow maze of back streets with Laundry, shops and stacks that led into a Buddhist monastery. This was the real deal and was not in any tourist guide book maps.
We spent several days exploring Bangkok. From the huge aquarium in the huge modern shopping malls to the many wats, or temples. Wat Po is our favorite with the largest reclining gold Buddha, which actually made the kids gasp with wonder when they first saw it. We experienced massive temple rooms packed with monks in saffron robes chanting, tiny back alleyways adorned with lines of gold Buddha statues and temple spires. We attempted to visit the Grand Palace, but the lines proved to be too long in the heat of the day. We took some photos from the outside and hopped a Tuk Tuk to a small off-the-map temple where the kids got to feed turtles in the quiet ponds. Sometimes in the heat of the day in big cities we try to take a midday break at the room or air-con restaurant so the kids (and parents) don’t get worn out.
One of the kids favorite experiences in Bangkok was Koh Sanh Road at night. We spent both nights there for dinner. This was the travelers hub and center when we visited without kids in 1998. It is still the same, but with some newer renovations and “nicer” additions from our backpacking days. Koh Sanh is a long pedestrian street, closed to traffic and full of colorful Thai life. Restaurants and cafes spill out into the streets in open air stalls; along with noodle carts, T-shirt vendors, travel agents, souvenir shops, hotels and hostels. With crowds of people, and kids from all over the world, there was lots of excitement. Our kids played with other kids, got a fish-spa massage (over and over), learned magic tricks from a street magician, shopped and bargained with local sellers and ran around for hours in this lively street market scene.
Leaving Bangkok we headed with a tour company to our next stop in the Kanchanaburi province, located north west of Bangkok near Burma. After a stop at the floating market, which was great fun and some time spent on the famous Bridge of the River Kwai, we boarded small longtail boats and headed up river into the thick jungle to the Kwai Jungle Rafts Floating Hotel. This place is amazing; one of the most stunning and unique “hotels” we have ever been to. The rooms are actually on floating rafts tied together. The hotel has a fantastic restaurant with Thai and Burmese food, a nearby village and elephants! Every morning the kids got to feed the elephants that come down to the river to bathe. Indiana Jones style gold temples are in the jungle nearby and guests can ride elephants to the temples. The kids spent afternoons jumping in the river and floating down to the end of the dock. Repeat.
We decided on Kanchanaburi province over the Chang Mai area just because we wanted something more off- the-tourist-track. Also, it was a quick drive from Bangkok, so it was easier to get there. The same goes for our decision to visit Krabi area beaches rather than head out to the islands. Still part of the main land, its much easier to get there, but you still get that Thailand island feel.
We stayed at the Rayavadee Resort on Railay Beach. This resort is wonderful for families and in the perfect location between the three beaches of this area. The resort had great kid activities when the summer rains set in. They got to cook, make creatures out of palm leaves and paint. We spent time on the amazing beaches, rock climbed, kayaked and went scuba diving (in the rain, which was a very unique and memorable experience!) Our entire family had a wonderful time at Rayavadee and Krabi beach area and would definitely come back.
The kids still miss Thailand: the smiling Buddhist monks, the wild colorful streets and endless culture and activity on Koh Sanh Road at night, riding Tuk Tuks and exploring golden temples in back alley monasteries. Nathan still says Bangkok is his favorite city ever and we all hope to return someday.
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