Unforgettable Family Holiday in Thailand

Our family holiday in Thailand with kids is drawing to a close. We’re packing up for a day of exploration, with plans to visit the Big Buddha Temple, Wat Khunaram, Wat Plai Laem, and the Namuang Waterfall. Traveling with kids in Samui is fairly easy, thanks to the island’s simple road network. A small map is all you need.

Visiting the Big Buddha Temple

Our first stop is the Big Buddha Temple. As my shorts are too short, I rent a long skirt to cover up. Floris, my son, remembers a story I read to him about a little girl visiting Thailand. He reminds me that we have to be silent and take off our shoes when visiting Buddha. As we walk around the temple, our blond, blue-eyed kids become the center of attention, receiving cuddles and kisses from locals.

Exploring Samui’s Highlights

We spend the day cruising around Samui, making stops at all the highlights. At Namuang, we visit an elephant rescue “hospital”. Floris gets to feed a banana to an elephant, an experience that leaves him excited, a little scared, and ultimately very proud. We also hike to the first plateau of the waterfall, a beautiful but challenging trail that’s more suited to hiking boots than flip-flops.

End of the Day in Samui

After a busy day, the kids fall asleep as soon as we get back in the car. We end the day with a fun dinner at McDonald’s, where Floris discovers that french fries fit perfectly in his nose. We all sleep well that night, ready for our flight to Bangkok the next morning.

Exploring Bangkok with Kids

In Bangkok, we decide to explore the city by bike. Our bike tour takes us through Chinatown, with stops at temples and a boat ride to the other side of the city for lunch. We discover beautiful residential areas, rice fields, and narrow bicycle paths over the water. We end our tour with some last-minute shopping at Siam Paragon.

Returning Home

All good things must come to an end, and it’s time for us to return to Amsterdam. We book a night flight, hoping the kids will sleep. They do, and behave so well that we even receive compliments from the flight staff. Once home, we put the kids to bed to help them adjust to the new timezone.

Thailand with Kids: Tips & Tricks

• Adjust immediately to the new timezone upon arrival. If the kids need to sleep, let them have a 1-hour power nap.
• Hire a car in Samui to explore the island.
• Explore Bangkok by bike! Consider booking a tour with Co van Kessel. Reserve child seats if necessary.
• Bring your baby carrier with you on the airplane.

Our trip to Thailand with kids was definitely amazing! The kids loved it and we did as well. We highly recommend Thailand for a family holiday!