Family holidays in Thailand 2026

Yes, Thailand suits travelling with children well. Thanks to its shallow-water bays, short domestic flights, and family-friendly hotels, it is easier than the distance suggests. If desired, dishes can be made less spicy, and street food such as grilled chicken skewers, rice dishes, and fresh fruit is usually a hit even with picky young eaters. There are plenty of pharmacies and private hospitals in the main resort areas.

Phuket, Khao Lak, and Hua Hin are the easiest bases for family holidays. It offers the widest selection of hotels and the shortest travel times. Khao Lak is a quiet place with long, gently sloping beaches. Hua Hin is within a few hours' drive of Bangkok. Koh Samui is suitable for older children who can handle one or two boat trips.

Thailand is a popular destination for family holidays, and there are well-equipped private medical facilities both in Bangkok and in the major coastal resort areas. As a general precaution, be mindful of ocean currents and red flags; protect children from direct sunlight during the day; use insect repellent at dusk; and stick to bottled water. Traffic moves fast in resort towns, so hold hands when walking near the road.

From November through March, the Andaman coast and Bangkok see the driest, mildest weather, overlapping with the Christmas and February half-term breaks. In April and May, it gets hot and humid. Islands along the Gulf of Thailand coast, such as Koh Samui, have different climatic patterns and stay drier through much of the summer holiday season.

At Thai resort complexes, breakfast comes with most stays and is typically served as a buffet, featuring Thai dishes alongside eggs, pastries, and fruit. Large coastal resorts have children’s pools, kids’ clubs, family rooms, or adjoining double rooms, and cots are available upon request. Although Thailand also offers half-board and all-inclusive options, they are not as common as in Spain or Turkey, so many families prefer to eat outside the hotel.

As a general guideline for the length of your stay, plan on 10 to 14 nights. The flight from the UK takes about 12 hours, and since young children need 2 or 3 days to adjust to the time difference, one week, including travel days, is hardly enough. In 2 weeks, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your trip by combining 2 destinations, for example, a stay in the city and at the beach.