Family Travel to Thailand Made Easy: Bangkok, Phuket & Chiang Mai with Kids
My travel plans look very different these days.
Once upon a time, I would build an itinerary around hidden cafés, late-night street food, and long city walks with no real destination. Now, the first things I search for are clean bathrooms, feeding spaces, and somewhere comfortable for a quick diaper change.
To be honest, this new version of travel made me nervous at first. I wasn’t sure if the world would feel the same anymore or if travelling with a baby would turn something I loved into something stressful.
But the moment I stepped out again, I realized something beautiful: the world is far more family-friendly than I had ever noticed before.
It’s like that strange little phenomenon when you suddenly notice a certain car model and then start seeing it everywhere. The same thing happened to me. Baby rooms. Play areas. Elevators beside staircases. Helpful staff. Wide walkways for strollers. They had always been there I just never needed them before.
And that gave me the confidence to plan our first international trip as a family.
Why Thailand Was the Easiest Choice
For our first trip with a baby, I wanted somewhere familiar, affordable, and easy to manage. Thailand ticked every box.
When you actually sit down and calculate the cost of flights, hotels, food, transport, and shopping, it’s very hard to find another destination that gives you this much value. And when you add the comfort and convenience needed for travelling with a child, it becomes even more perfect.
The only question was:
Bangkok, the islands, or both?
My answer start with Bangkok.
Starting Slow in Bangkok
Bangkok is the perfect place to adjust to travel with a baby.
It’s modern, well connected, and full of small conveniences including the famous 7-Elevens that seem to appear exactly when you need water, snacks, milk, or wipes at any hour of the day.
Staying near the Nana or Asok area makes getting around easy. On the first day, instead of rushing to tourist spots, we took it slow. We bought an MRT ticket, went to Terminal 21, and just walked.
Air-conditioning, clean restrooms, plenty of food choices it’s exactly what you need when your body is still tired from the flight and the baby needs time to adjust.
And of course, there was mango.
If you love mango desserts, the little shop inside Terminal 21 feels like a dream smoothies, sticky rice, mango crepes, and more. It became our comfort stop.
Seeing a Softer Side of the City
Bangkok often gets misunderstood. Movies show only one side of it loud, wild, chaotic.
But the truth is, the city is incredibly diverse. The busy nightlife areas stay in their own corners, while the rest of Bangkok is calm, safe, and surprisingly easy for families.
One of my favourite areas was Rattanakosin the historic heart of the city.
Walking along the river, stopping at small cafés filled with old photographs, taking a ferry across the water it reminded me of the feeling you get when you visit Old Dhaka and suddenly understand the soul of the city.
We spent a full day there, moving slowly between temples, resting when needed, and ending with a sunset view from a rooftop. It didn’t feel rushed. It felt right.
And after a few days, when the baby had adjusted and we had found our rhythm it was time for the beach.
Why Phuket Works So Well for Families
Some travelers will tell you to skip Phuket and go somewhere quieter.But when you’re travelling with a child, convenience matters.Phuket gives you natural beauty without sacrificing comfort.
Family-friendly resorts are everywhere. Kids’ clubs. Splash pools. Child-friendly menus. And while the little ones are happily busy, parents finally get that long-awaited foot massage by the sea.
It’s the kind of holiday that lets everyone rest.If complete peace and disconnection is what you need, though, Koh Lanta is unforgettable calm, slow, and wrapped in nature.
When Your Travel Energy Comes Back: Chiang Mai
After a few relaxed days, when you start feeling like yourself again, Chiang Mai is perfect for a little adventure.
It’s creative, calm, and full of experiences that work beautifully with children, from elephant stories and silk-weaving workshops to hidden art villages and cozy cafés.
And for those of us who love the idea of camping but not the effort, there’s glamping. Proper beds, beautiful views, and fresh air without the stress.
One evening, we walked to the old city gate and watched lanterns float along the river with hundreds of other people. It was quiet, slow, and emotional in the simplest way.
The kind of travel moment that stays with you.
Travel Looks Different Now, and That’s the Best Part
Traveling with a baby is slower.
You plan more. You rest more. You don’t try to “see everything.”
But you notice more. You appreciate small comforts. You celebrate simple days. And you experience places in a softer, deeper way.I used to think this new style of travel would take something away from me. Instead, it gave me a completely new way to see the world. And the most comforting realization of all ?The world is ready for travelling parents even if we’re not always ready for it.