Thailand Family Vacation

Evolving from a pre-Buddhist fertility rite, this rocket festival worships the god of rain before rice planting season and is celebrated across Issan, typically in May coinciding with the full moon. 
A fire-rocket party is something you’d expect to take place in North Korea rather than the Land of Smiles. Yet Thais are all about it. Celebrations last three to four days and include folk music, floats, and dancing—and of course a “friendly” competition, where huge, handmade gunpowder-filled rockets are launched high into the sky. Attendees place bets on the winner (even though gambling is illegal).

The Chao Phraya River, otherwise known as the River of Kings, is one of the most important waterways in Thailand. Some of the top attractions in the capital are found along its banks, and it is one of the major transportation hubs in the city. Whether visitors take to the river to enjoy a dinner cruise or hop on the Chao Phraya River Express Boat to explore Bangkok, there are many ways to explore this particular waterway.
 

Thailand is home to many different kinds of street food and every street in every city will have various different stalls selling their wares. From Pad Thai to Som Tam (papaya salad) to grilled meats it is all available at any time of the day. Thai’s rarely cook at home as the cost of eating out is so low compared to cooking at home, when looking for a food stall to eat at a good choice is to follow the locals to see where they are eating.

Whatever you do don’t ride elephants in Thailand or visit any elephant “sanctuaries” without doing your research. Watch this video on Elephant Tourism and you won’t want to visit these places.
The only legit place we have found is Elephant Nature Park located outside of Chiang Mai, which rescues and rehabilitates elephants. You can even spend the night in the park.  Here are some happy videos from Elephant Nature Park to give you a look at what you could expect.

Kanchanaburi province, an area of lush forest and a haven for backpackers, has a dark past hidden beneath the surface.
Here, you'll find the start of the infamous Death Railway (which links to Myanmar), and the bridge over the River Kwai. Both are haunting relics from the Second World War, constructed by prisoners of war. It's a chilling spot, but essential on any Thailand itinerary.
Close by is what's left of the controversial Tiger Temple, which was the focus of some damning animal welfare reports, and began closing down in May of 2016, after the Thailand Wildlife Conservation Office intervened. As of 2020, the site is no longer a visitor attraction, with few animals remaining on site.
As with anywhere in the world, there are always tempting opportunities to experience close-up encounters with wildlife. Thailand will have its fair share. As always, consult other travellers for advice, read reviews, and follow your conscience before booking.
 

Flyboarding is the new extreme sport that gives you aqua superpowers. Strapping on a pair of tres chic jet boots and taking hold of the stabilisers you can flip and spin across Koh Samui’s azure waters. It’s a giggle a baht and an alternative way to explore the southern shores.

Situated in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is a beautiful island only 20km’s in length. There are 17 dive shops on the island and some of the most beautiful diving in the world is to be had in the sea surrounding the island. Famous dive sites are Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, these are considered to be the best in the area

Legend has it that a group of tourists realized one day that the most beautiful view of the full moon was from the beach of Koh Phangan so they decided to hold a party. From that day on it became an institution. Today up to 30,000 revelers travel to the beaches of Koh Phangan to celebrate every full moon with a party. The parties are a riot of color, music and nonstop drinking that seems to last forever. When you need to take a break from the dancing you can take a rest in one of the surrounding bars or go for a swim in the warm Gulf of Thailand.

Situated 12km outside of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep is a mountain that stands at over 5400 feet. The reason most people travel to Doi Suthep is to see two things, firstly the view over all of Chiang Mai which is staggering and worth the journey on its own, but also to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is a temple dating back to the 13th century. At the temple there is a large white elephant shrine which has a whole story about it which you can learn about whilst at the temple. There are many steps to climb on the mountain as well as the opportunity to take a tram, expect to spend a whole day on the mountain checking out the various things to see.
 

Thai massages are famous the world over, the style of massage is unique as it stretches your body as well as working on your bodies pressure points. The whole experience will leave you feeling invigorated and balanced. Every small town and city is guaranteed to have many massage parlors and the prices are very cheap compared to what you would pay back home.

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, it is celebrated each year in April across the entire country and runs from the 13th to the 15th, water is traditionally sprinkled throughout the festival as it is believed it will wash away your bad luck and sins. These days things have changed a little and huge water fights tend to break out bringing entire cities to a standstill, with many businesses closing for the entire duration. Where ever you are in the country during this time of the year prepare for a soaking as there is no escaping the party.

Khao Sok National Park is a unique mix of very diverse ecosystems. Home to rain forest that's older than the Amazon, the park also contains a limestone mountain range covered in karst formations, many kilometers of trails, and even a river you can explore on canoes or bamboo rafts. The park is home to Malayan sun bears, tigers, and wild elephants—and sightings aren't rare once you get deep into the evergreen rain forest.
The park is also famous for its eco-luxury camps, where tents come with en-suite bathrooms, deluxe bedding, their own kayak, and some of the best meals you'll try in Thailand.

OK, so there’s no promising you’ll be able to pull off the moves in this video, but an hour or two of Muay Thai and you’ll be feeling a bit feistier. In both the north and south boxing schools are tucked away off beaten paths and by the beach offering cheapo Muay Thai lessons. Take a few sessions to learn how to knock someone off their game the Muay Thai way.
 

The point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River is known locally as Sop Ruak, but to the rest of the world it's the Golden Triangle: the point at which Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand meet. 
Even standing on the Thailand river bank, you can look across to Myanmar and Laos, though you may wish to hire a boat for an even closer look. You won't get lost: there are plenty of market stalls, Buddha and elephant statues, and plenty of signage to confirm that, yes, this is in fact the Golden Triangle. 
Sop Ruak was once known as a prolific opium-growing area, and the exhibitions at the Hall of Opium in Golden Triangle Park, offer a solid introduction to the local history and effects of the industry, as well as the potency of the drug.
If you fancy venturing further off-course, see our guide to alternative itineraries in Thailand. Likewise, once you've seen all Thailand has to offer, keep cruising along the Mekong to visit Myanmar or Laos. The choice is yours...

Akha, Lisu, Hmong and Karen tribes are found all across the north of Thailand. Take a break from the tourist trail, and spend a day or a few nights with a local family to learn and experience their way of life.
Choose your tour guide wisely – ensure that they operate in an ethical and sustainable manner. 

Rather you’re a party or a people watcher Khao San Road is always a blast. The popular book “The Beach” said Khaosan Road was “the center of the backpacking universe.” This is an accurate description, this is the epicenter for all backpackers in Southeast Asia.
It’s a great place to meet other travelers, get a cheap massage, eat street food, get a little tipsy, and buy cheap T-shirts/elephant pants. Every time we’re in Bangkok we spend a night out on Khaosan Road grab a few Chang beers and get a $7  an hour foot massage on the street and watch all the madness walk by.

Now on every savvy traveller's list, Railay is one of Thailand's most sought-after beach areas. Just south of Ao Nang Beach, around a rocky headland and accessible only by boat, Railay presents a tranquil and extraordinary world. In just one small peninsula you'll find gorgeous white sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, viewpoints, caves and a lagoon hidden inside the cliffs, shaped and fed by the changing tides. And all within walking distance!
The very picture of tropical paradise, with no roads and no hassle, Railay offers lazy days, adventure forays and chilled-out evenings

Riding a tuk-tuk in Thailand is a must and a blast. They are more common then taxi’s and typically cheaper depending on your negotiating skills. Always set a price before hopping in.
If it’s your first time in Bangkok we highly recommend this Bangkok by night tuk-tuk tour. It hit a ton of Bangkok’s attractions and even skipped the line at the #1 Pad Thai place in Bangkok.

A favorite stop for history buffs and photography enthusiasts, Sukhothai offers many lovely photo ops at a smaller scale than Ayutthaya. Ruins of this old city still stand proud despite enduring centuries of battle and exposure to the elements. Sukhothai's Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and much has been invested to restore and preserve one of Thailand's most significant historical sites.
Of the many wats in Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat is the most impressive. Founded some time in the 13th century, the temple was built to enshrine Buddha relics and is surrounded by massive standing Buddha images, stuccoed sculptures, stupas, and more.

Though there are many markets and night bazaars located in the city of Chiang Mai, none are as noteworthy as the Sunday Walking Street Market. It is centrally located, and the one-kilometer road where it is found is closed to traffic, so visitors can meander and browse the plethora of goods in peace. The market is filled with handmade handicrafts this region is well-known for. Be sure to barter with vendors to get the best prices.

What better way to see a bit of jungle life than hopping on board a bamboo raft and floating down a river. While it may not be the most stable of transportation, it certainly is the most fun. Tackling the rapids and battling to balance it’s a test in teamwork and is sure to provide a few laughs. Hold on tight.

Learn how to cook all your favorite Thai dishes. Most Thai cooking classes start off at the market so you can easily learn what goes into the dishes and hopefully, you can then spot it at your local grocery store.
In our Chiang Mai cooking class, we got to pick which dishes we wanted to cook, and we now have a new appreciation for a curry. Curry paste takes a lot of time and elbow grease to make.

Shooting to fame after the Leonardo DiCaprio classic ‘The Beach’ as well as appearing in James Bond. Koh Phi Phi is a stunning island situated in the province of Krabi, this island is a must visit on any trip to Thailand. After visiting this staggeringly beautiful island no beach will ever feel as beautiful. The island has no roads so you will have to do a fair amount of walking but with everything happening between the two main beaches you will never be far from the hive of activity.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya needs to be on your Thailand to-do list. Originally the capital of Thailand the city was founded in 1350 when King U Thong relocated to the city to escape an outbreak of smallpox. However in 1767 the Burmese army marched on the city and destroyed nearly every part of it. The kingdom collapsed and was never the same again. The ruins of the city are preserved in the historical park and are certainly worth a visit when in the country.

Thailand is home to over 31,000 Buddhist temples, this particular temple Wat Arun is named after Aruna, the God of Dawn. The temple sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is one of the most stunning sites you can see. The tower is 79 meters tall and has been covered in colorful porcelain and ceramic tiles making for a mesmerizing sight. When you come to the entrance of the temple you will see a pair of mythical giants that are said to guard the temple.

Celebrated across the country the Loi Krathong festival is an annual event that happens on the night of the twelfth lunar month. A Krathong is like a small floating basket in the shape of a lotus with a candle in it. The festival celebrates the Goddess of water for all the water that she has supplied over the last year. Thousands of krathongs are lit and left to float away on the rivers and canals, a truly breath taking sight. The festival is full of color and in some cities you will see whole areas turned in processions with dancing and much color.
 

Situated within the Erawan National Park the Erawan Falls are a group of seven waterfalls (the drop from the top waterfall to the bottom one is over 1500m) each having its own distinctive character. The water plunges over lime stone cliffs and into beautiful plunge pools, this has led to the landscape being sculpted by the water and it is truly beautiful. You can spend a whole day in the park trekking from one waterfall to the next, stopping to take a swim in the pools where the water gathers to cool yourself down.

Khao Yai National Park was the first national park to be established in Thailand and is the third largest in the country. Covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers it is a huge site to visit. The park comprises of rain forests as well as grasslands which all adds up to the large number of animals you can see. There are an estimated 300 species of birds in the park as well as bears, elephants, deer’s, gibbons and macaques. There are a couple of waterfalls in the park which are well worth a visit as well and are easily accessible by car.

Whilst visiting Phuket you must visit Phang Nga Bay, the bay houses in the region of 40 small islands that come straight out of the calm sea. There are so many caves, mangroves and lagoons to visit whilst you are here that you will never have enough time to see everything. The sea in this area is very quiet and the bay by its natural design is protected from many of the elements during the monsoon season meaning there is never a bad time to go. The best way to see as much as you can is to go with a local Thai tourist guide who will be able to point out the things you do not want to miss.

There are several floating markets in Thailand but this one is the biggest and most famous, it is huge! There are boats everywhere going up and down the canals selling all sorts of foods and fruits. A visit to this market will give you a real insight into how things were many years ago. For those who love to take photos the narrow canals and small wooden stilt houses are sure to give you countless opportunities.
The market is situated about 100km outside of Bangkok but it is well worth the traveling time.

Set in the heart of Bangkok this is probably the most famous attraction there is. For 150 years the palace was home to the king, his court, and the entire government of Thailand as well as the Royal Mint. With an area of 218,400 sq. meters there is so much to see and do, you will not be disappointed. In 1782 huge walls were built around the palace and offices to make it the attraction it is today, please note that a strict dress code is in place at the palace so you will need to dress in appropriate clothing or entry will be refused.

Flight of the Gibbon is a session of zip lining through the tropical rainforest. It’s a unique way of seeing the forests of Chiang Mai without all that long walking. Be a gibbon for a day and whizz through the trees, we can pass it off as site seeing too.