6 Continents

Discover the magic of Thailand with your family

With a very different culture, the Land of Smiles is full of charms. A journey that blends culture, cuisine, nature, and a lot of architectural beauty. Your family will love it!

By Sut-Mie Guibert

Thailand is a fascinating and welcoming country, offering a wealth of experiences for all ages. From the breathtaking scenery of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters to majestic temples and the vibrant city of Bangkok, there’s something for everyone. Thai hospitality is legendary, and the “Land of Smiles” (given how often Thais smile) will welcome you with open arms wherever you go. Get ready for an unforgettable journey that will leave a lasting mark on your family!

Exploring Bangkok with Kids

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a bustling and vibrant city. It is where you will arrive and begin your itinerary. Spending 3 or 4 days in Bangkok is advisable to explore all the temples, immerse yourself in Buddhist culture, and marvel at the rich architecture. Thailand boasts a cultural heritage, and delving into this with your family will be an enriching experience. Visit magnificent temples such as Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and the giant reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, learning about Thai history and spirituality. All these temples are conveniently accessed by boat as they line the banks of the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the capital.

Bangkok is an electrifying capital with a bustling car scene. Getting around is often easier using the BTS (surface metro), boats, or even tuk-tuks (small motorized vehicles with seating in the rear). Taxis and Uber are also affordable, depending on the time to avoid traffic.

To keep young children from getting tired, you can mix temple visits with other activities. Sea Life Bangkok Aquarium within the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall is a great option, where children can learn about marine life and even dive with sharks! This mall also features a food court with excellent options catering to various tastes.

From left to right – Photo 1: Wat Arun Temple / Photo 2: Wat Pho Temple, Reclining Buddha /
Photo 3: Emerald Buddha Temple / Photo 4: Family in a tuk-tuk.

Another half-day program (because it’s not within the capital) is to visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market, which is a 1-hour drive from Bangkok. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy the air conditioning of a shopping mall or explore an interesting restaurant like Hajime Robot Restaurant, a Japanese place where a robot serves food and dances.

If you want to experience a less vibrant and more original capital, you can take a full-day tour of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of Siam. The temples there are ancient and very picturesque. Here’s a word of caution: many temples offer elephant rides, but it’s best to avoid encouraging this type of tourism that exploits animals. If you have the opportunity to travel to the northern part of the country, there are several sanctuaries with freely roaming elephants for a more respectful tourism experience.

In the evening, if you still have the energy, consider having dinner aboard a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. You’ll get to see all the temples illuminated at night—a spectacular sight!

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A Genuine Experience in the Nort

Heading out from vibrant Bangkok, depending on the weather and route, many families travel to Chiang Mai by train or plane, where the region is known for offering opportunities for elephant excursions. Make sure to choose a location that promotes the well-being of elephants, such as reputable elephant sanctuaries, where the family can learn about these majestic animals and interact with them ethically. Our recommendations are the Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. It’s worth writing to them and getting all your questions answered. You can embark on half-day or full-day tours, strolling with the elephants, feeding them, giving them baths—a truly unforgettable experience for the whole family! All of them provide the opportunity to “adopt” an elephant and continue contributing to the rescue of these charming animals. You will see that the elephant is Thailand’s mascot: it is found in all forms and sizes, as a toy, on T-shirts, on fridge magnets…

Another suggestion to make the most of the region is to take a Thai cooking class as a family! Food is also an excellent source of emotional memories, and when you eat pad thai at home, you’ll be able to fondly remember this trip.

And, for teenagers and to break the monotony of temple visits, how about doing it differently and fun, like biking through the old city? Certainly, the young ones will be more interested. If they’re feeling lazy, they can also opt for tuk-tuks.

Speaking of temples and sanctuaries, in Chiang Mai, it’s worth visiting the temples Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. And if you’re still curious about different temples, take a 3-hour drive to Chiang Rai and explore Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple.

Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

Relax in Paradise in the South

The southern part of the country is known for its islands and paradisiacal beaches, such as Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands (famous thanks to the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio), or the coast of Krabi. All of them boast white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, with high cliffs dramatically plunging into the sea. A treat for the eyes of geologists!

In Phuket, it’s best to avoid the famous crowded Patong Beach. The beaches of Kata or Karon Beach are friendlier and more family-oriented, with beachfront resorts like Club Med or Novotel, as well as restaurants and shops. From Phuket, many take a boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands or to James Bond Island, also known for its appearance in the 007 movie with Roger Moore. These are full-day excursions: don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. During the journey, you’ll have the opportunity to kayak and snorkel. Fun days, even if the journey is a bit long.

In Phuket, there are also elephant sanctuaries in case you haven’t had the chance to visit Chiang Mai: Green Elephant Sanctuary Park or Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. There are also some tiger farms, but, as mentioned before, it’s best to avoid this type of exploitative animal tourism.

Phuket FantaSea is a complex with a restaurant and a nightly show. It’s interesting if you haven’t had the opportunity to see typical dances in folk costumes. A show for all ages, and children usually enjoy it.

In Krabi, the best beaches are Railay Beach, Maya Bay, Ao Nang… Krabi is smaller and less developed than Phuket, making it more natural with beautiful mountain views. Excursions will include beaches, caves, waterfalls, and boat trips, given the numerous islands. From here, you can also explore Phi Phi and James Bond Island. Railay Bay Resort or Amari Vogue Krabi are beachfront, right by the sea.

Some considerations

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, and monks are highly respected. They are given preference in queues and subway seats, for example. When visiting temples, dress appropriately with covered legs (wearing pants or sarongs) and shirts, avoiding bare shoulders. Since shoes need to be removed, it’s practical to wear sandals or flip-flops.

The food is generally spicy. You can request dishes “not spicy,” but it’s still worth trying beforehand. Pad Thai, made with noodles, is popular, along with fried rice, shrimp, fish, meats, and numerous international restaurants in Bangkok. Regarding food, adventurous eaters can find fried grasshoppers or scorpions in popular markets.

Asia is renowned for its massages! Try one at the hotel or a local spa.

The Thai language has a challenging script for Latin speakers. It might be impossible to comprehend things in Thai, but most places have English translations.

Bring small bills if you plan to shop at popular markets and don’t forget to negotiate.

Indeed, Asia presents itself very differently to Westerners, making this trip and destination fascinating and creating unforgettable memories!

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How to Get There

Most routes pass through Europe with stops (KLM, Air France, Lufthansa), Africa (Ethiopian), or the Middle East (Qatar, Emirates).

Visas and Vaccines

Brazilian travelers must present the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. (Note that this vaccine should be taken at least 10 days before the trip).

Best Time to Visit

The driest periods are from November to March.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

Anantara Riverside Bangkok by the riverside; conveniently located for visiting temples. Spacious rooms, some with river views.
Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, a 5-minute walk from a BTS surface metro, with a direct line to Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Travel agencies Viajar com Crianças and Viajar com Adolescentes, can organize this fantastic trip for your family.