Thailand in 2013
Every year we faithfully travel to Thailand. We partly make a tourist tour, partly we visit my wife's family. This year was the first time that my two eldest sons from my first marriage (both 11 years old) were allowed to join us by their mother. They had never been on leave with us outside Europe and their expectations were therefore high…
Bangkok
After a long flight via Mumbai, we arrived in sunny Bangkok about 14 hours later. This time we made it easy for ourselves and booked a hotel (with a roof pool!) in advance on Rambuttri Road, the quieter area of the backpackers quarter.
The first days we occupied ourselves with making boat trips on the Chao Praya river, breathing in various exhaust fumes while sitting in a whirring tuk tuk (kids simply love it!), visiting and mainly climbing the Wat Arun as well as the Golden Mount, and strolling around the various local markets that the city has to offer.
Chiang Mai
After this, the long, but enjoyable ride with the night train to Chiang Mai awaits us.
Coincidentally, this very Nakhon Ping train made the front page of the Bangkok Post a few weeks later, due to a derailment on its way north… resulting in 31 injuries. Apparently it was then already the seventh time that a train derailed on this route in the past 4 months, but this entirely aside.
Chiang Mai is ideal for exploring by rental car. At least if you have a few gray hairs to spare to get used to the hectic city traffic first... Those mopeds come rushing from all around you and miraculously manage to avoid you at the last minute. However, the beautiful, mountainous surroundings just outside the city center make up for it!
Chiang MaiWe visit, among other things, a parasol factory in Sankampeang, the art market in Hang Dong / Baan Tawai, and continue along the hundreds of hairpin bends to Pai, where we spend the night in a nice geusthouse on the river. We also honor the Maetamann Elephant Camp with a visit. Taking children for rides on the back of an elephant and watching an elephant show… we seem to be doing organized bus tourism… but indeed, our three little boys are enjoying it to the fullest!
A little further on, a brand new hill tribe village has opened its doors. Ideal for people who have too little time to visit different authentic hill tribes; in this new settlement just outside Mae Taeng there are a few examples of every existing hill tribe, all dressed in their colorful costumes and everyone willingly posing for the lens of the amateur photographer! Highly recommended, just like the obligatory visit to the Doi Suthep temple during the late afternoon (when the crowds are gone)!
After visiting various temples and night markets in Chiang Mai, we head back to Bangkok, where we have to travel about 650 kilometers in another rental car to Udon Thani, where the parental home and family are waiting for us.
Udon Thani
At the daily market of Udon Thani, my white twins are a real attraction in themselves. Many Thai fellow human beings want to touch their hand. At first, the children do not know what to do with their attitude, but soon their uncertainty turns into a radiant smile. Or how small daily activities can leave a huge impression afterwards…
From here we also make some family trips. A day trip to Nong Khai, with a visit to the Sala Kaew Ku sculpture park. Another day to the famous Wat Phra That Phanom, where we stay for little money in a small hotel next to the Mekong, with a view of Laos.
The rural character, the beautiful landscape along the way and the many rice fields in the background form a great contrast with the hectic life in the big city and can also appeal to children.
Ayutthaya
At the end of our trip we pay a quick visit to Ayutthaya, where the children love to hang out in the various temple ruins, and spend the last days on the coast in Pattaya, enjoying the sun, sand and sea.
We had a wonderful stay in the land of smiles… With this short report we can only encourage families with younger children to go there. Let it clear any doubts: Thailand is a perfect travel destination with children!
See you next year then!
Submitted by Hank
A nice report, Henk, of a varied holiday with children in Thailand. I always think it's a great idea to round off the holiday with a few days at the sea. After all, especially for children there are so many new impressions coming at you, that it is good to let everything sink in in a relaxing environment.
I think Pattaya is a very good choice for families with children, but there are people who think that Pattaya is only visited by "dirty old men".
I am curious how you and especially the children experienced Pattaya
Dear Gringo,
For ourselves, including our youngest son (now 4 years old), Pattaya no longer has any secrets... You don't hang out in the night bars with children and if you walk past you can explain a few things to 11-year-old kids... . They were especially fascinated by the beautiful beaches (it's a bit of a shame that the boulevard is currently being restored, but that will certainly be an added value for Pattaya next year). Admit it, you can't really enjoy a nice lunch in a beach chair with an immediate view of the sea in Belgium... Taking boat trips to Koh Larn is also an experience in itself, and they thought snorkeling from the beach there was fantastic. Walking around Walking Street with children is hilarious... They found it very amusing, especially when a beautiful young lady (who was previously a man) regularly wants to take a picture with them... And go out to eat in the fish restaurants in the evening, with the many lights and a view of the sea again, is highly recommended for younger children... Or at least, that's what they thought! And a trip to the swimming pools of Pattaya Park is also one of their favorites... Enough to do and see to keep it fun... And we have never had any problems with those older, dirty men 😉
Hello Henk...how did the flight over Mumbai go? Is that recommended or not...greetings
Dear Eddie,
There is nothing to criticize on the flight itself, with Jet Airways. However, the various security checks at Mumbai airport are very slow… We usually flew with Etihad via Abu Dhabi… That is a slightly shorter flight (12 hours instead of 14 hours via Mumbai) and the procedures at the airport there are very well organized and therefore go much faster… I would not really recommend Mumbai, but of course everything depends a bit on the price of the plane ticket.
Very good article, describes Thailand very well in my opinion, the casual atmosphere, a thousand smiles, Chang the elephant… that is why my wife and I booked a direct flight BRU-BKK yesterday, especially for the gastronomic delights, and the mostly pleasant atmosphere in Thailand to sniff again.