Thailand with children: travel tips

Thailand is one of the best destinations with children. That’s what Agne, one of the co-founders of “Travel 4 kids”, says with confidence. Agne and her family have spent three winters in Thailand. It is her family’s favourite destination. Agne, her husband, children and grandparents often go there for winter holidays, travel and relaxation. She has drawn on her extensive experience of travelling with children to write an article on Thailand with children: tips for travelling. This article will help every family with children who are planning to travel to Thailand.

Thailand with children: travel tips

Thailand with children: travel tips – all our recommendations, experiences and tips that we have gathered during our long stay and travels in Thailand. Thailand is not only a stunningly beautiful country, but its people are amazing too. That’s why travelling here is a pleasure. Thais love children immensely, they will always talk to you, give you a snack and a smile. And they do it sincerely, not expecting a tip. Children will always share their toys, and older ones will protect them while they play.

In Thailand, transport and tours are free for children under 3 years. So it really makes a difference when travelling with a child under 3 years. From 4 years of age onwards it costs extra. Usually the price is similar to the price for adults. However, you can talk and negotiate that your child will not take up an extra seat – and you can get a free seat. We would definitely rate Thailand as one of the friendliest places to travel and vacation with children. But how to prepare and what’s important to know – read on.

Thailand with children: travel tips. Stroller or carrier?

Stroller or carrier? This is a common question. As long as Motiejus was in a stroller, we always took him with us. Why? Because you’ll get along really well in the resorts, except maybe in the jungle. It’s comfortable for a child to have a nap, it’s great to have a nap under a palm tree. Take into account that your child will be really hot in the carrier, just like you.

Of course, the carrier is very useful for scooter rides. If you need a stroller or carrier, make sure you take it with you from home. Because it’s hard to find shops in Thailand. When Motiejus was two years old, the wheel of his pram broke while we were on holiday on Koh Samui island. We couldn’t find such a thing to buy on this big and tourist-loved island, apart from the fact that it could be shipped to us from Bangkok within a few weeks.

Toys, clothes and other necessities

Our recommendation is to travel with as few belongings as possible. Self-service laundries are very popular in Thailand, where you can wash your clothes and your children’s clothes for a few euros. And if you want, they’ll iron them too. So it’s definitely not worth loading up on clothes. You’ll find them everywhere. There are also self-service laundries everywhere in Thailand, but we preferred the ones where you leave your clothes and pick them up clean a day later. Just a big TIP – bring white and light laundry one day and dark and coloured laundry the next. Because they put the clothes they bring together in one washing machine. So if you don’t separate them, you might not get the right colour. That was the first time that happened to us. I got my white blouses in grey.

Children’s toys, water mattresses and life jackets are plentiful in supermarkets and souvenir shops. For a few euros, you can buy sand toys without having to bring them from Lithuania, which you can then pass on to local children or other young tourists. They are much cheaper here than in Lithuania. If you’re on holiday in Phuket, you’ll find lots of international brand stores (H&M, Decathlon).

When in Thailand, look out for the Super Cheap Market, a super-sized shop with items ranging from food to home appliances, where we found sand toys for Motiejus.

Sunscreen, medicines, nappies

The sun is very hot, especially in the high season, so make sure you have not only sun cream but also children’s clothes with SPF protection. Even if it’s not a sunny day, believe me, you and your children can get a really bad sunburn. Our recommendations for the best sun care products for children always come with us, not just to the beach, but everywhere we go and everywhere we drive.

Pharmacies in Thailand are plentiful – you can easily find sunscreen, after-sun cream and many of our common medicines. Most of the time, our usual prescription medicines are sold here without prescription.

Both pharmacies and shops have a wide selection of nappies, both international and local brands. The same goes for formula milk. There is a wide choice of porridges, purees and drinking milks. If you are travelling for a longer period of time, don’t bother with nappies – prices are certainly similar to those in Lithuania. For us, the biggest selection and most European goods are in Tesco Lotus.

However, make sure you have some nappies and purees for the start of your journey and for the time on the plane. You usually won’t find these items at the airport. When travelling with us, our favourite and organic and best baby porridge, Ponn, is always with us. Not only is it a great food for babies, it’s also a great snack for older children.

Practical advice on child food in Thailand

All food shops have microwaves. They will be happy to heat up the food you buy (porridge, sausages, dumplings). Just ask. If it’s not what your child wants and eats – just ask. Our Motiejus loves cucumbers, so we always asked for extra. We have also asked for more salad – never refused.

The various fruit smoothies and shakes are very popular all over Thailand. Just mention “no sugar” when preparing them. Because they absolutely pour liquid sweetener everywhere. And the fruit here is really tasty and juicy and you don’t really need the extra sugar.

If you are staying in a hotel, ask the hotel restaurant to make porridge for your child from cereals you have bought or brought in. You can ask any café to do the same. They will certainly not refuse to prepare it.

If your child eats ready made porridge, be aware that all hotels (from the cheapest to the most expensive) have a kettles in their rooms. If there isn’t, they will definitely bring it.

For cooking, we always use bottled water.

If you’re travelling with a baby and planning a holiday in a larger resort rather than a remote island, you’re sure to find baby products.

The largest selection of European formula milk, porridge and mush, at least for us, was at Tesco. There are Tesco stores in Phuket, Krabi and on Samui Island.

For more information on what dishes to eat for children, and there are many suitable for children, and what my Motiejus liked from an early age, see the article Thai cuisine and dishes for children.

Riding a scooter in Thailand with children

Thailand and scooters are an integral part of the country’s culture. It is the most convenient and popular means of transport. It is very important to take out an International Driving Permit before travelling, as the police do check tourists and issue fines.

If you plan to ride a scooter, buy a helmet in Lithuania and take it with you. Often at rental points they don’t have helmets for small children, they give “universal” helmets for all children. It doesn’t matter if it’s a three-year-old or a six-year-old. And a helmet is definitely a necessary attribute when travelling on a scooter, where road safety is not really the first priority. Consider that even if you know how to ride, there are many tourists who may be getting behind the wheel of a scooter for the first time.

If you have a very young child, it is very comfortable to ride a scooter with a carrier. Our Motiejus sometimes sat between us, sometimes in front. And often he even slept.

Read about our first trip to Thailand with a child in the article Travelling to Thailand with children. The article Beautiful beaches in Phuket will help you decide which resort town to choose for your holiday with kids.

The article “Thailand with children: travel tips” is an original article prepared by “Travel 4 kids®”. Copying and use without permission is strictly prohibited.

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