Thailand With The Kids

Start your family adventure holiday in Bangkok, where you can explore bustling streets, browse colourful markets, see ornate palaces and temples and take in the city views from the gleaming skyscrapers and rooftop restaurants. The Peninsula hotel sits on the Chao Phraya River in the heart of the city, with many of its top sights right on the doorstep – take them all in on a leisurely boat trip on the Peninsula’s own barge and zip around the city on its tuk-tuk. Shake off the jet lag with a dip in the riverfront pool before relaxing on the waterfront terrace, and wake up to perfect river and city views from your stylish suite.

After getting a taste of Bangkok, it’s on to Chiang Mai, whose glittering temples, traditional architecture, irresistible markets and lantern-lit riverside restaurants are surrounded by lush green hills and jungle. Enjoy an exclusive experience at the Tong Bai Elephant Foundation, where you can learn all about these gentle giants, feed them and bathe with them.

Children can also get involved in local arts and crafts such as bamboo weaving – so there’s not much chance of the younger members of the family being bored. Don’t miss a cooking class, where the little ones can create traditional Thai specialities.

If you’ve fallen in love with the elephants here (and it’s hard not to), indulge your new-found addiction at Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park, a luxury camp with tents both on land and ‘floating’ on the lake. You’ll be surrounded by elephants in the tropical rainforest landscapes, and have further opportunities to feed and bathe them (as with the Tong Bai Elephant Foundation, Elephant Hills is focused on the wellbeing of the elephants, and due to ethical reasons, it is not possible to ride them).   After spending an exhilarating day with the elephants, and maybe enjoying a jungle trek or a kayaking trip, cool off in the pool, tuck into a delicious Thai buffet, share stories round the campfire and retreat to your tent for some well-deserved relaxation (where you’ll find special touches such as light switches in the shape of an elephant) before falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest.

Arriving at the dramatic jungle-clad landscapes and idyllic beaches of Krabi and your beautiful beachfront hotel, the Rayavadee, by private speedboat, your family will feel like they’re in their very own James Bond adventure. Krabi is blessed with natural beauty, from its jagged limestone peaks and coconut groves to its sweeping beaches of fine white sand. At the Rayavadee, stay in a spacious family pavilion with your own pool, and make the most of the kids club which offers a range of activities including tennis, Thai cooking, arts and crafts and a guided garden discovery walk. The shallow coral reefs are perfect for younger children to swim and snorkel around, while older children will enjoy rock climbing, kayaking around the mangrove forests, and indulging in water sports such as windsurfing. Or simply relax on the beach, and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch on the sand. Railay Beach, right on your doorstep, is one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches.