Thailand with a toddler - anyone done it?

[chopsypops]

Hello,

We are considering doing a month in Thailand over Xmas & NY with our then 2 yr old daughter. I have been before and stayed in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi, Koh Phan Gnan, Koa Toa but was doing the backpacker thing 7 years ago and I don't really think it's suitable for a toddler!!

I am looking for advice of destinations that are pretty, relaxed, friendly (not party central) however relatively accessible to the convenience of a hospital / town should we need one. We would consider staying in one place and renting a a place or moving around a bit. I would probably prefer to move around but perhaps only visiting 3 or 4 places as I think any more would be tough going with a 2yr old.

I know it's high season so will be a bit pricier but we are trying to do it on a bit of a budget if possible. Don't need luxury but obviously can't rough it as much as I may once have done.

Anyone done anything similar at all?

[EDZ]

I did Thailand twice and Cambodia with toddlers and babies. Admitedly we were staying pretty high-end, but as travelling goes its easy. The Thai's LOVE children. Our eldest (4 years) got badly bitten by mosquitoes and her face got all swollen. We went to a pharmacist and they prescribed anti-hystamines and in a day all the swelling went down. I found my children enjoyed the North more than the south. It was cooler and the ocean was not really there thing strangelly. If you go bring mosquito nets. But they really do have lots of stuff you can get there. Nappies are no problem to get. If you are in Bangkok you can stock up on anything you might need (they have Boots).

[MarleneG5S]

Hi

I would suggest to go to Koh Lanta, it is really well setup for family with kids. You can choose to stay high end but there's also a great selection of more medium and basic accommodation. The Island has banned "adult" bars, and there's only a few clubs, so you will not get disturbed by noise. It is a bit a of a trek to get to, but the hotel where we were staying had car which picked us up from Krabi airport (for a small fee) and took us to the ferry and then the hotel.

Enjoy!

[canela]

i'd second Koh Lanta. we had a great time with a 2 year old. also chiang dao just outside chiang mai. would definitely recommend choosing one or two places and doing day trips rather than lots of travelling with a toddler. our toddler got sick but we had travel insurance and it was fine. was only a virus, but obviously we worried and went straight to the hospital! which had a marble staircase and a string quartet.....that's private healthcare for you!

have fun!

[Bumpkin]

We went with our Son when he was 2 and had a great time. Went in May which on reflection was a bit hot for a 2 yr old, lots of long naps over lunchtime and in the swimming pool in the heat of the day. Mr B has a very good friend over there, a local woman who owns a taxi company in Bangkok, speaks excellent English and is an ex nurse. She organised our whole trip and I'd trust her to sort out any problem you could come across. Let me know if you'd like her details.

[Convex]

We took our then 10month old to Cambodia, was really great. In total were in Cambodia / Thailand 2 weeks. Only hitch was, baby wouldn't eat ANY food aside from breakfast (ie, toast and fruit) and pouches we had taken until we got to Thailand where he suddenly agreed to eat local food.

There is a local company called exotissimo (sp?) in Siem reap who organised everything for us, as no English travel company would help us due to insurance.

We did stuff in the morning then were back at the hotel for late lunch and swimming and relaxing in the afternoon.

He did struggle with the heat though, so having air con to retreat to was key.

I would go back in a shot, they love kids and we felt very welcome.

Did not have an issue with local people pinching and touching our baby, they were very respectful of him (often asking him for a cuddle and he sometimes obliged!) but tour groups were a nightmare, we had to be very firm with them not to touch or try to pick him up. I was gobsmacked at how persistent some of them were.

[enjoy]

I think I wouldn't do it.

I love Thailand, been there myself, backpacking, travelling around ... but that was all pre-children.

With a toddler it would require too much thinking for me, like: what can he eat, how is the sun, markets, streetfood and all the stuff I like, he wouldn't enjoy. We went in early spring (though years ago) but I found the sun pretty intense. I got a terrible sunburn in the shade, so with a young child, I would'nt know how to protect him.

It's a long howl to get there, not the cheapest trip.

If we spend so much money we would love to do all the things we really enjoy and not compromising too much because of the little one. But that's only the way I think and plan, Thailand is still a great destination.

Though we took our toddler on the trip through the Rocky Mountains in an RV, not sure how many people would do advise that ;-))

enjoy

[Rach22]

I think Thailand is amazing, and as you've been and done the backpacking thing a few years ago you're aware of how the city works, it is predominantly backpackers- people on a gap year, whilst I was in Koh Phangan I did see people with their kids at the full moon party -very surreal! I think parts of the south are designed/aimed at families far more than the north, purely because they're mostly beach destinations with restaurants/activities to do such as koh samui, focused on relaxation and laying by a pool and taking in the sunshine. However the north is about the activities such as riding elephants, jungle trecking and going to tiger sanctuaries which is not suitable for toddlers.. although culturally there is alot to do, there is the fear of being bitten mercilessly and although it is very cheap once you're out there, the humidity can be quite unbearable and uncomfortable. I think if you stayed in the south it is fine, stayed away from the clubs/bars areas then it should not be an issue.

[Bumpkin]

Having said we had a great time, it definitely was much more limited than going as an adult. Our 2 yr old who would eat nearly anything at home really didn't like the food and was far too hot to do anything other than sleep / swim in shaded swimming pool in the heat of the day, have had easier holidays with him in the Algarve / Turkey. It was great and we were visiting a friend, but think it would be easier when they are a bit older as they get better at dealing with extreme heat. However Christmas should be a cooler period than when we went.

[sledge]

Hi

We've been to Thailand with both of our children (when my daughter was 8 months and son aged 4) - had a couple of days in Bangkok and then went over to Koh Samui. I love Thailand - have done the backpacking thing and also just normal holidays. Brilliant place with children - people are kind and helpful.

You can often get some great deals with Trailfinders - we've ended up with lovely hotels where you buy 5 nights, get 5 nights free.

The overnight flight works well......children sleep so less entertaining.