Destinations · Thailand
Thailand family holidays
Thailand is the long-haul family holiday that families always come back from raving about. Kids are treated as guests of honour by every restaurant, hotel and stranger you meet, and the price of food, transport and small pleasures is dramatically lower than at home.
Which island fits
Phuket
The default first family trip. Kata and Karon beaches on the west coast for shallow-sea young children, Kamala for a quieter mix, and Patong only if you want a busier evening scene. A large family hotel base and a well-oiled tourist infrastructure.
Koh Samui
Smaller, quieter, more resort-shaped. Bophut and Choeng Mon are the family beaches. Flight in via Bangkok is expensive because the airport is private; consider Krabi as an alternative gateway.
Krabi and Ao Nang
Mainland coast opposite Phuket. Karst-cliff scenery, calm bays, cheaper than Phuket and easier for boat trips to Railay and the Phi Phi islands.
Khao Lak
North of Phuket. Long, quiet beaches, national park nearby, and the family-focused end of the country's beach mix. Best for two-week stays with young children.
When to go
November to early April is dry season across the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak). Koh Samui runs on a different weather cycle: February to April is its driest window. October is worth avoiding on the west coast; a lot of family hotels close during the worst weeks.
Flight times
Twelve hours to Bangkok direct, then an internal flight of an hour or two to your island. Total door-to-door is 16 to 18 hours. Plan a Bangkok overnight in each direction, unless your kids sleep on aircraft, which most don't.
Ages, honestly
Under-fives: possible, but the jet lag is real, so consider two weeks minimum. 5 to 11: the sweet spot. Elephants at ethical sanctuaries, snorkel days, night markets, and unlimited pool time. 12 plus: extend into Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and a proper multi-centre trip.
Rough costs
Family of four, two weeks including flights: £4,500 to £7,000 in a good four-star, £6,500 to £11,000 in a top-end resort. Food and taxis are the cheapest part of the trip: budget £200 to £300 a week for eating out, less if you graze the night markets.
Ethical bits worth knowing
Any 'elephant riding' operator is not one to book. The reputable options are Elephant Nature Park (Chiang Mai) and its licensed partners, plus a growing group of sanctuaries in Phuket. Tiger selfie experiences are similarly off-limits. Turtle hatchery visits in Khao Lak are the good version.