One of the more overlooked tourist destinations for family vacations is Thailand, one of the gems of Southeast Asia.  The country is currently the most popular of Southeast Asia’s numerous tourist destinations, probably due to it offering almost anything a traveller could be interested in, regardless of taste and personal preference.  Whether it is crystal blue water and pristine beaches, amazing Buddhist temples, jungles that are green and thickly overgrown, amazing wildlife or the excellent Thai cuisine, the country has it all.

Thailand is an exotic country and it is often referred to as the “Land of Smiles” for good reason, since it has much to offer adults and children of all ages.  Travel arrangements are easily made and there are numerous flights to Thailand and its capital Bangkok departing from most of the UK’s major airports.  International flights to Bangkok land at Suvarnabhumi Airport located roughly 24 kilometres from the city centre.  This recently opened airport now accommodates all international flights and most of Thailand’s domestic flights.

Activities for the Family in Thailand

If there is one thing that you can count on when holidaying in Thailand with your children, it is the abundance of activities that the country offers all age groups to enjoy.  Whether it is recreational activities or just having a laid-back relaxing time with your children you will find that the possibilities are literally endless.  Here are a few ideas to consider:

Beaches and islands – always a delight for any international traveller, Thailand’s beaches are some of the most pristine in the world.  Day trips to the more popular islands are available throughout most of the year so there is always something worth experiencing.

Elephant and jungle treks – very popular family-oriented activities, especially near the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

National parks – the list of Thai national parks is almost endless and is divided into five different categories or regions – Central and East, Marine, North, Northeast and South.  All of them feature spectacular natural wonders sure to please every family member.

Theme and water parks – Thailand’s five primary tourist destinations are the cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Phuket.  There are a number of theme parks and water parks in all of these cities geared to the enjoyment of everyone in the family.

Places to Go and Things to See and Do

Taking the five primary tourist destinations mentioned above into consideration, here are a few suggestions to consider in each city:

Bangkok – the aquariums, zoos, elephant camps and crocodile farms in and around Bangkok make for a great family outing, especially the Dusit Zoo and Siam Ocean World.

Chiang Mai – the Patara Elephant Farm is always a delight for children and parents alike.

Phuket – one of the most popular amusement parks in Thailand, Phuket FantaSea will entertain all the family.  Animal lovers should visit Phuket Zoo and watch the elephants paint and play musical instruments during the elephant show.

Koh Samui – take the family elephant trekking or attend a monkey show and watch the monkeys work, fetching the coconuts down from the trees.

Pattaya – Mini-Golf Pattaya is the family favourite here.  This is a theme park that incorporates a number of attractions with a number of courses for the family to pick from.

Bangkok, Thailand, has some of the world’s best hotels at very special prices. The Thai culture and hospitality is outstanding.

There is a sky train and underground system in addition to taxis, so it is easy to travel around to the different attractions.

Thailand is known for some of the world’s best spas with every type of massage and treatment. It is also known as a golfer’s paradise with some of the world’s best golf courses and rates. You can even go to Pakchong Creek and take a 45-minute ride on the back of an elephant.

Thailand is internationally rated as having the world’s best cinemas, some of which feature a lounge that holds only 20 to 40 people and pampers them with complimentary beverages and snacks. The seats recline and come with a pillow and blanket so that you can watch the latest movies in comfort.

Shopping is an experience you don’t want to miss since you can find discounts as much as 80% off high quality goods. You must also see the floating markets, which are canoes laden with fruits, vegetables, meats, and sweets.

The night life entertainment in Bangkok is famous around the world, and the thousands of restaurants are a culinary delight. If you are adventurous and see a place where the locals gather for the “street” food, try it out as that is the real Thai cuisine.

The Grand Palace is outstanding architecturally and was the home of the Kings of Siam. It houses the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha image, which dates back to the 14th century. It was carved from one piece of jade. Admission includes a ticket to the Vimanmek Royal mansion.

Within walking distance from the Grand Palace is the National Museum, one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Its buildings were once used as a palace and house many artifacts from all parts of the country.

Next to the Grand Palace is the Wat Pho with its gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha. There are also many beautiful ancient temples in the area with other outstanding Buddha images.

The Vimamek Mansion Museum is the world’s largest golden teak building and was a 3 story mansion of 81 rooms, halls and chambers with Royal memorabilia.

The Ancient City covers 280 acres, is built into the actual shape of Thailand, and has gigantic replicas of famous monuments, buildings, and temples. It is known as the largest outdoor museum in the world.

Useful Links
http://www.netflights.com/travel-guides/asia/bangkok/bangkok-shopping.aspx
http://www.bangkok.com/