Visiting a big, busy (and hot!) city like Bangkok with little ones in tow needn't be a hassle. Take heed of these valuable points, and you're bound to have an enjoyable family adventure that will stay in your and your kids' minds long after you've returned home. Overall, Bangkok is a fantastic place to visit with kids. They'll love the colours, excitement, all the interesting sights and smells.
Early Start
Go sightseeing as early as possible in the morning. It's better to make an early start to avoid the crowds. Mornings are cooler, less crowdy, and you'll have time to chill out in the afternoon when the heat can be exhausting.
Hotel close to Skytrain / Family-friendly Hotels
Choosing a hotel near the Skytrain (BTS) will save lots of time and prevent the inevitable whine that accompanies sitting in traffic jams. It also provides great views above the city both for bored toddlers and teenagers. It's also adviseable to choose a family-friendly hotel that is geared to keep kids entertained with activity programmes and a wide range of facilities, like the ones on this list.
Strollers & Buggies
Except in modern shopping malls, Bangkok is not a particularly 'friendly' environment for strollers and buggies. Pavements in the city are generally not well-maintained with uneven surfaces, and there are lots of stairs at most Skytrain stations. Definitely not recommended if you are travelling by boat along the river. Bring a baby carrier for smaller children.
Weekday Outings
Visit children's parks, theme parks and kids attractions on weekdays. They're much busier on the weekends, and queues are often a given.
Be smart - Go on an organized tour
Save your energy and go on an organised tour, especially if you're short on time and want to see several things. All transport, admission fees and a knowledgeable guide are normally taken care of. It just makes life a lot easier... (Have a look at these great Family Tours)
Avoid the Hot Months
Try to avoid the very hot months of April and May when temperatures soar up to 40 degrees Celcius. And don't forget about the high humidity. Unless you're visiting for Songkran, a fun water- throwing festival around the middle of April, the best time to visit is November to March when temperatures are around 29 degrees Celcius. The 'rainy season' from July to October is also very pleasant with limited showers and cooler temperatures - perfect for city sightseeing.
Soi Dogs
Discourage your kids to feed the pitiful-looking 'soi' (street) dogs as they might snap at tiny tender fingers. They are not inherently evil, just always hungry.
Food & Water
Food safety in Thailand is actually of the highest standards in Asia. The thing to pay attention to is contaminated water. Street food is mostly cooked right in front of you, and is a often a better bet - and more authentic experience - than at some restaurants. Make sure you are always buying properly sealed, bottled water.
Hot Stuff
Perhaps ask vendors to tone down the chili for innocent palates. Just say 'mai ped' (not spicy), or 'mai sai prik' (don't add chili). Better safe than sorry, eh?
Western Food
If your kids don't like Asian food, no worries. You will find every imaginable international cuisine in Bangkok, and all their fast food favourites like McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC and Dunkin Donuts. If you really want to make it a happy family meal, try the Sylvanian Restaurant at CentralWorld Shopping Mall. It has am indoor playground that will keep your kids happily entertained for hours while you enjoy a great meal in peace.
Lost Kids
When going sightseeing or shopping with kids in tow, it is always a good idea to collar your kids with a name tag, the name of your hotel and flight number lest you lose the little midgets. Getting lost can be a harrowing experience for both parent and child, and Bangkok's labyrinthine malls are some of the easiest places to misplace your progeny.
Babysitters
Most hotels offer babysitting services. Another option is kiDO, a fun daycare center where you can drop your darling of for a day of creative play and learning. There are two locations: Q House (Life Centre) Lumpini in Sathorn and at CentralWorld.
Medical Emergencies
Bangkok's private hospitals count amongst the finest in the world. Often they even have their own dental clinics. Medical insurance is a given when you're travelling with kids - accidents always happen in the most untimely circumstances, and at least you will have peace of mind. |
