15 days in Thailand with children
From the most sacred temples to heavenly beaches: get ready for a family trip to Thailand.
At Christmas, we very often go on trips around the world as a family. Last year we spent 15 days in Sri Lanka . This year we chose Thailand. We had the chance to discover part of the country in 2019 and we wanted to come back. This destination is really ideal with children. The land of smiles lives up to its name, the Thais are adorable, especially with children.
From sandy beaches to mystical temples, follow this guide for a memorable family trip with young children.
Our itinerary for spending 15 days in Thailand with children.
From planning the trip, to the must-sees, explore the gems of this destination through the eyes of our family. An enriching getaway to Thailand, where every moment becomes a precious discovery when traveling as a family.
Our 15-day itinerary in Thailand:
Chiang Mai : 4 nights 🏯
- Stroll through this charming fortified town
- Rice harvest 🌾 at a farmer's
- Meeting with the elephants 🐘
- Discovery of the temples
Koh Jum : 4 nights 🌴
- Disconnecting in our beach cabin
- Boat trip to Koh Phi Phi 🚤
Koh Yao Noi : 3 nights 🌾
- Sleeping in the middle of the rice fields
- Discover the island by scooter 🛵
- Take the boat for unforgettable outings
Krabi : 3 nights 🏝️
- Explore Railay Island
- Enjoy the heavenly beaches
Bangkok : 3 nights 🏙️
- Bike ride along the canals 🚲
- Crowd bathing in ChinaTown
- Visit the sumptuous temples ✨
Chiang Mai: The pearl of the north between traditions, temples and lush nature 🌿
Northern Thailand is known for being more authentic and that's exactly it. Chiang Mai is a city, but here you won't see buildings like you see in Bangkok. The city is big but the city center, delimited by remains of ramparts is quite small.
What makes the visit enjoyable. There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai, "Wat" in Thai, each with its own unique history and architecture.
How to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?🚃✈️
From Bangkok, most tourists take the sleeper train for a unique experience and to make the journey at night.
The journey lasts around 10 hours and costs between €10 and €40 depending on the options chosen.
You board a train, which has a restaurant (you can pre-order food that will be delivered to your seat). At 8pm the train staff transforms the seats into berths with clean sheets. The atmosphere on board is good and you sleep really well.
Bangkok Chiang Mai by plane: the journey is 1h20. Chiang Mai airport is 20min from the city center. We found tickets for 36€ for this journey.
Chiang Mai Day 1: Local Farming Experience
For this trip to Thailand with children , we looked for activities that were exotic but also fun for children . The first day, we went to a local farm to learn how to feed buffalo and harvest rice . 🌾
Our girls loved it from start to finish! When we arrived we had to put on a blue farmer's outfit 👩🌾, we then followed our host, who had us collect grass to feed the buffalo Noam. Then he explained to us how to grow rice . 🌾 We didn't hesitate to put our feet in the mud and plant the little herbs as best we could.
The activity lasted the morning, then we were served a good green curry with rice 🍚 and a mango sticky rice for dessert.
We booked this activity through Get Your Guide
We ended the afternoon at Warorot Market. This market is a vibrant place and you will find everything there: clothes, spices, street food and crafts, all in a typical Thai atmosphere. 🌸
Chiang Mai day 2: Elephant sanctuary and bamboo rafting down the river
This family activity is very popular in Thailand and our daughters absolutely wanted to meet the elephants . 🐘 We booked the tour on tripadvisor .
A perfect day for nature lovers . After 1h15 of driving, we arrive in the middle of the forest and we are taken down a river on bamboo rafts . A really fun experience with the children. 💦
Observing the elephants 🐘 in their natural environment, in the wild, feeding them and getting so close to them was a great moment. Our girls will remember this encounter for a long time.
In the evening we went to the Sunday Night Market ( Tha Pae Sunday Walking Street) in Chiang Mai and we loved the atmosphere. Don't hesitate to try the specialties pad thai, fried rice, quail egg on skewers, chicken satay skewers ...
Chiang Mai day 3: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is about 15 kilometers west of Chiang Mai in Thailand. (the most sacred and important temples in Chiang Mai). After climbing the 306 steps to reach the temple, one is delighted to discover the beauty of the site and the breathtaking view . The temple is famous for its magnificent golden pagodas, panoramic views of the city of Chiang Mai.
✨ Favorite: for the staircase that gives access to the temple
Relaxing afternoon in Chiang Mai old town 🌸
Stroll through the streets of the old town : a charming setting to stroll and discover the unique atmosphere of Chiang Mai.
Wellness break at the Tulip Massage salon: a true haven of peace for the whole family.
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- My husband tried the traditional Thai massage : 1 hour for only €9 .
- I opted for a manicure + semi-permanent varnish application at the same price. 💅
- Our girls loved their foot massage : 1 hour for €7 . 🦶
A perfect moment of relaxation to recharge your batteries after a day of walking! 🌿✨
In the evening we had dinner in a great restaurant that I recommend: it's a good kitchen ! The restaurant really lives up to its name.
When you arrive there is a queue but it doesn't last long. Here we feast and the rice is cut into teddy bear shapes which the children really like .
📍 My favorite addresses in Chiang Mai:
🍜 Kao Soy Nimman : to taste the specialty of northern Thailand, Khao Soy
🥑 Rustic & Blue : for a delicious and healthy brunch ☕✨
🥭 Mana Sticky Rice : an institution for mango sticky rice 🍚🤤
📌 A must-try during your visit to Chiang Mai!
Chiang Mai day 4: Wat Lok Molee temple and Si Phum temple
For this last day in Chiang Mai, we walked from our hotel and visited the temples Wat Lok Molee and Si Phum . These two temples face each other and are very beautiful.
At the end of the day, we took a plane to go to Krabi to sleep for a night.
Day 5: Koh Jum, the wild island
Our host took us to Laem Kruat Pier to take a small boat to Koh Jum . The crossing takes 30 minutes and costs 140bath per person (4€).
Upon arrival, a taxi was waiting to take us to our beach hut. We booked an overwater hut at the Sea Front Resort and it was great.
The cabins are large and air-conditioned. In the morning we are served breakfast on a terrace overlooking the beach! I can only recommend it.
Koh Jum: a peaceful island with heavenly beaches
We chose to spend 4 days in Koh Jum to enjoy its peaceful and authentic atmosphere. This small island, far from the tourist hustle and bustle, charmed us with its incomparable calm . Renting scooters was a breeze, and with its quiet roads, getting around was a real pleasure.
The beaches there are simply magnificent , and our favorite is Coconut Beach (of course it is lined with coconut trees!). A peaceful break that we recommend to all nature lovers.
Day 6: Koh Jum island tour by scooter
Touring the island by scooter or tuk-tuk is a must-do experience in Koh Jum , but be careful if you opt for the tuk-tuk! We tried the adventure and quickly understood that it was not the best option. Driving is quite complex: you have to manage the speeds and get used to the sidecar , which is not easy at all!
We started our walk with a first stop in the north of the island , on the superb Coconut Beach . Lined with coconut trees, this preserved beach is a real little paradise. I was even lucky enough to find sea biscuits ! After this break, we got back on the road (20min) to have lunch at the Koh Jum Seafood Restaurant , located near the port. This small local restaurant offers typical dishes like sea pudding , a real discovery for the bravest!
At the end of the afternoon, we took advantage of Golden Pearl Beach for a last swim at sunset , a magical moment in a dream setting.
Then, head to the Rockbar for a drink facing the sea . In the evening, we had dinner at the Tingrai Restaurant (a favorite restaurant in Koh Jum). The food is delicious, and we had a huge weakness for their mango sticky rice, a traditional Thai dessert.
Traditional dishes cost between 80 and 120 baht, or €2.20 and €3.40 per dish.
Day 7: Boat trip to Koh Phi Phi Ley and Koh Phi Phi
For this third day in Koh Jum , we opted for a boat trip , an essential activity in Thailand. Here, it is very easy to organize this type of excursion yourself: small cabins scattered around the island offer personalized outings. All you have to do is choose your itinerary and book. We paid €90 for a day on a private boat for 4 people , excellent value for money.
The next day, at 9am, our boat was waiting for us right on the beach of our hotel. Direction the mythical island of Koh Phi Phi ! First stop at Phi Lay Bay , a breathtaking bay, probably the most beautiful in my eyes. Rather than queue up to visit Maya Bay , we preferred to swim at Monkey Beach on the island of Koh Phi Phi .
The water is warm and translucent , a real waking dream. 🚨 🐒 Beware of the monkeys, don't leave your things lying around and don't forget that they are at home. 🐒🚨
We continued the boat ride to Loh Dalum Beach , a very beautiful beach on Koh Phi Phi. Then, we headed to our last stop of the day: Bamboo Island . This small uninhabited island is a real gem , perfect for marveling at the underwater life. With our masks, snorkels and life jackets provided on the boat, we were able to observe the fish.
The captain had planned everything and set up a picnic for us under the trees of Bamboo Island . A simple but perfect moment, which in itself embodies the true happiness of a vacation .
Day 8 beach at Koh Jum and departure for Koh Yao Noi
For this last day, no program except massage on the beach 9€ per hour... and chill. The hotel provides kayaks and we took a little ride with our girls.
We also took advantage of the kayaks provided by the hotel for a little family outing. The girls loved paddling over the crystal clear waters! After a moment of relaxation on the hotel beach, we had lunch in our favorite restaurant on the island: Tingrai Restaurant. The crossing to Koh Yao Noi takes about 1h15 by speed boat. ( 130 € for 4)
The scenery is incredible and time flies. But if you're looking for something to keep your kids busy during the journey, here's a selection of podcasts especially for them
