Thailand is a fantastic place for families because there is so much to see. Kids are never bored. There are basically two ways to explore with a family: start in Bangkok and then head out to the islands; or head up to the north of the country, to Chiang Mai and the mountain villages that characterise that area.
For older children this is a great adventure: some of the villages of the Karen and Lahu tribes are set up for tourism and offer simple accommodation in village houses, where you sleep in dormitory-style rooms on rattan mats. It’s something that works for the whole family – for parents it’s a unique chance to meet local tribespeople and really get back to nature, while the kids love the feeling of camping out and meeting Thai children. A night’s stay for a family costs £18.
Not all the villages are reliant on tourism though, so you’ll get a taste of the traditional Thai way of life: meals are cooked over a camp fire and children can have a go at some of the handicrafts that the Karen people are famous for. In this area there are rice plantations to visit, where children can learn how to plant and harvest rice, and at the Elephant Conservation Centre they can spend a whole day looking after the elephants.
If that sounds a little full-on, the other option is to book a comfortable hotel in one of the beach resorts and explore from there. The islands of Koh Samet and Koh Lanta are great for families as there is lots to explore besides the beach. On Koh Lanta Yai there are trips through mangrove forests and to pineapple plantations by longtail boat, plus fabulous snorkelling and diving.
The Saikeaw Beach Resort on Koh Samet is very family-friendly, with cabins dotted along the shoreline. Koh Hai is also a good bet, with walks into the forested slopes of the Mu Koh Lanta National Park, where crab-eating monkeys and monitor lizards are often spotted. There are fabulous boat trips from Koh Hai to the emerald-green cave at Koh Muk, which has its own inland beach and natural pool.