Family holidays to Thailand

Have a fun family holiday in the sun with Thailand's welcoming resorts

Flights to Thailand take around 11 hours, but with some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes awaiting you, the time in the air is worth the wait.

Ideal for a laid-back family holiday, the beachside resort of Khao Lak offers a relaxed vibe with postcard-worthy shores and calm waters. For something more upbeat, the island of Phuket is brimming with character and culture all ages can enjoy, with colourful temples like Wat Chalong, bustling markets and a host of child-friendly dining options.

On Phuket’s south eastern tip is the relaxing resort of Nai Harn, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket City. Family holidays here can be spent exploring the jungle-clad mountains, relaxing on the pristine white sands and going on day trips to the famous Phi Phi Islands.

Best family-friendly beaches

In Thailand, you’ll find family-friendly beaches on almost every coast. In Phuket, Bang Tao Beach is one of the island’s longest beaches and is still relatively untouched by the crowds, especially on the northern end.

The flat and clear waters are ideal for young kids, and there’s also a handy selection of beach bars dotted along the shore offering refreshing drinks and snacks.

Khao Lak is also a favourite spot for families with young children, particularly Pakweeb Beach with its relaxed atmosphere, velvety sands and excellent swimming conditions. For watersports, head to Phuket’s vibrant Kata beach, where kids can learn to surf and boogie board and there’s plenty of space to build a sandcastle or two.

Best family activities in Thailand

In Khao Lak, activities are centred around the coastline and the nearby national parks. The top family activities here include scuba diving among colourful sea life and exploring the mangroves, waterfalls and exotic wildlife on the walking trails in Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park.

Phuket is ideal for families who love adventure. Daytime activities here include taking a 4×4 guided tour through the jungle, biking to the Ton Sai Waterfall or ziplining over canopies at the Phuket Tree Adventure.

There’s also a number of waterparks to choose from – the most popular being the Splash Jungle Waterpark, which has a range of slides to suit all ages and makes for a great day out.

Other family holiday destinations

Thailand is by no means your only option when it comes to booking a family getaway. Destinations like Florida, Costa Rica and Mexico are also great choices, with a mixture of spectacular scenery, adventure activities and child-friendly beaches.

But if Thailand is still your preferred destination, check out our travel guide for more information and advice on what you can do while you’re there. In the meantime, here are some of the best family hotels to take a look at.

Costa Rica | Mexico | Mauritius | Jamaica

Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort

Located on a wide stretch of sand dotted with restaurants and watersports, the 3* Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort is great for families who like their holidays to be action-packed. Here, guests can learn paddle boarding and surfing, play table tennis and darts or swim in the pool. To keep the kids entertained, there’s a spray ground, playground and indoor playhouse. There’s also a range of child-friendly restaurants and swim-up rooms available for families that want to inject some extra fun into the holiday.

Cape Panwa Hotel

Situated on its own private beach among coconut palms and tropical gardens, the Cape Panwa Hotel is the ideal spot for a peaceful family escape. The hotel offers two pools, a whirlpool and a large selection of daytime activities, including snorkelling, table tennis, badminton, non-motorised watersports and more. Kids can spend their time in the children’s pool, playroom or playground, while adults can pamper themselves with a beauty treatment or beach massage. When you’ve had enough of relaxing and want to explore, the bustling Phuket city centre is just a 15-minute drive away.