Thailand is a country with many things to do with the family that can make a holiday in this Asian country truly unforgettable. Some of the best things to do include seeing elephants in one of the country’s sanctuaries, snorkelling in a coral reef or touring Bangkok by boat, among other options that we’ll tell you about below.

  1. Boat trip in Bangkok
  2. A day at the beach in Phi Phi
  3. Giraffe Women’s Village
  4. Andamanda Water Park in Phuket
  5. Elephant Sanctuary in Krabi
  6. Snorkelling at Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
  7. Visiting Ayutthaya’s temples by tuk tuk

Boat trip in Bangkok

The Chao Phraya River and its canals were the old streets of Bangkok when its inhabitants used to move around by boat, and they often still do. For tourists, these canalised waters have become an incredible place to enjoy a family activity if you visit the Thai capital by boat. 

There are different options: you can take a boat in the evening that offers dinner and night-time views of the city; cruise along the Khlong or canals of Bangkok in long-tail boats, like in Venice; or opt to head to the floating markets, where everything is sold from the boats of the locals.

Either option is a great choice for the young and old alike.

A day at the beach in Phi Phi

This group of islands has incredible beaches, such as the place where the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach” was shot. However, if you’re heading there with your family, one of the most popular swimming areas is Monkey Beach, as it’s inhabited by these sociable little critters that make swimming even more fun. 

You can organise a tour that takes you to this part of the island or go directly by kayak from Loh Dalum Beach on Koh Phi Phi Don, which is the largest and only inhabited of the four islands that make up the archipelago. 

Just be careful with the food in your backpack because the monkeys that live on the beach will try to steal it. Although the animals are very used to people, it’s always best to keep your distance from them.

Monkeys for food at Beach Monkeys, Thailand

Giraffe Women’s Village

This is an excursion that will surprise young and old alike. We should mention that the so-called giraffe women who live in the north of Thailand, specifically near Chiang Rai, are not originally from Thailand but from Myanmar, from where they fled the war. They belong to a sub-group of the Karen ethnic group called the Padaung and are currently in a kind of no-man’s land because they are not recognised as citizens of either country.

The original reason for wearing metal rings around their necks that can weigh up to five kilos was to protect themselves from the tigers that inhabit the region. Nowadays, however, they wear them for cultural reasons. 

The places visited on the tour are very used to welcoming tourists, but they never cease to amaze those who see them for the first time.

Andamanda Water Park in Phuket

Visiting his huge water park covering over 90,000 square metres is a fantastic idea if you’re travelling with children and teenagers. It has five themed zones based on stories and tales from Thai mythology and 37 slides, 12 of them extreme, plus 19 rides and 20 attractions ranging from lazy rivers, beaches and wave pools.

There are also swim-up bars for adults to get their dose of entertainment and fun. 

Elephant Sanctuary in Krabi

One of the best elephant sanctuaries in the Krabi area is Ao Nang where you can spend time with these amazing animals, bathing and feeding them. These elephants are very well cared for and you can enjoy learning about their habitat and behaviour. Normally, excursions are organised which includes pick up from your hotel as well as drop off, but you can book your tickets directly on the website.

If you’re travelling in the hot season, don’t forget your swimming gear because it’s fun to get wet with the elephants, while the little ones are more than welcome.

Snorkelling at Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

This natural park made up of 40 unspoilt islands is a magical place to snorkel because the protected environment has allowed the marine flora and fauna to thrive freely. The most popular excursions include snorkelling in the coral reef area, which is full of colourful fish with starfish everywhere, but you can also choose to snorkel in other areas of Mu Ko Ang Thong.

In fact, one of the most chosen spots for this activity is the island of Koh Tai Plao, where you can see turtles swimming peacefully around while you dive.

Visiting Ayutthaya’s temples by tuk tuk

Riding in these vehicles is an adventure in itself for the little ones, but if on top of that you get to visit some of the country´s most important temples, the experience turns into something incredible. Ayutthaya was the capital of the kingdom of Siam until 1767, when it was razed to the ground. Its ruins, 15 square kilometres of palaces, temples, monasteries and statues, are one of Thailand’s must-see wonders, in addition to being a World Heritage Site.

The best way to avoid tiring yourself and the children out is to go from one monument to another in a tuk tuk, which is not only fun but also much easier.