Escaping from the real world for a while on a family holiday and getting to spend some quality time with your kids is a desire that all working parents will understand.
Having enjoyed many jobs with an element of working overseas, I’ve always been keen that my children understand themselves as global citizens and get to experience cultures outside of their own. So now that the home renovation project is complete, and following a challenging year where we had to manage a lot of stress, grief and bereavement while keeping it all running at work and at home, we were determined to give Theo and Romilly something to remember and draw good memories from this summer.
There are so many places we want to see, narrowing it down was the first challenge. We’ve enjoyed some fantastic family trips to Italy, Spain and France, but for their first long-haul experience, we eventually decided on Thailand. It seemed like the perfect destination to recharge and reset, while creating some amazing memories.
We went to Bangkok and Koh Samui on our honeymoon and fell in love with the place and the people – so it was a natural fit to take the children there. For a perfect balance of adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion, we decided on Khao Lak, a quiet coastal town about 2.5 hours from Phuket.
If you’re planning to travel with kids on a family holiday that ticks all the boxes, here is a glimpse of our experience in this tropical paradise surrounded by islands and jungles.
How Did We Travel There?
If you want paradise, there’s definitely a price to pay in the form of getting there. It’s currently the off season in Thailand, so direct flights weren’t an option. And although living extremely well is a lot more purse-friendly in Thailand, flying long-haul is increasingly expensive.
For that reason, we made the decision to try and make savings on the flights where possible and prioritise having more budget once we got there. Initially, we looked at package holidays but eventually decided we’d be better off booking our flights and accommodation separately.
We used World Tour Store to book our travel, and they were very good at finding the best deals and arranging the schedule. We had to take flight take off and landing times into account as having two small children affected what would be reasonably doable while preventing any huge meltdowns -from parents or kids! We ended up with Air India flights into Delhi, and on to Thailand, and with Quantas via Singapore on the route back.
The flights were from Heathrow, so we chose to stay over the night before at the Holiday Inn Express, where we could also book parking for the car while we were away. This approach really minimises the stress of travelling with two young children, worrying about being on time for check in. We got down there the evening before and went to a local restaurant for dinner, so it felt like the holiday began from that point.
The first part of the process was easy, but we did experience some problems. Our first outbound flight was unfortunately two and a half hours delayed, which left us running through Delhi airport in the middle of the night with a security escort, desperately hoping we would manage to make the connecting flight out to Thailand.
Thankfully, we (and our baggage) made it, but as soon as we got onto the second flight, my daughter Romilly was exorcist-level sick everywhere from the stress, as she is already a bit of a nervous flier. Trying to clean that up with a packet of tissues and the miniature bottle of water they give you on the flight was definitely not fun – and we hadn’t brought a change of clothes in the cabin bag, which was a big mistake. She ended up arriving in Thailand wearing my sweater as a dress with her clothes stuffed in a sick bag.
The food on Air India flights is also all very spicy – there wasn’t any milder option for children – so she was really hungry. We had taken snacks on board but nothing more substantial. On balance, I don’t think we’d fly with Air India again, as the service and experience we had on the return flights with Quantas was so, so much better.
Long haul travel is expensive, and we opted to try and save money by shopping around for flights and then spend more on the hotel and experiences out there, but in hindsight this was perhaps not such a good idea.
But at last we made it, feeling extremely glad we’d booked a private transfer from the airport in Phuket to Khao Lak, which is about a two and a half hour drive. Luckily, paradise awaited us on the other side…
Where Did We Stay?
Our home base for the trip was the Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort. The hotel was a haven of comfort after long days of exploring. With spacious family-friendly rooms and direct beach access, it offered everything we needed. The kids were thrilled with the beachfront pool, while we parents appreciated the lovely restaurants, kids club and beautiful gardens that were meticulously maintained.
The hotel is slightly smaller and more intimate than some others we were next to, and this was a plus for us – it felt calmer and much more personal a level of service. Our room was absolutely stunning and there were lots of little touches to enjoy.
The staff made a real effort to cater to families, offering a range of activities for the kids, from crafts to cooking classes. I loved how the hotel felt luxurious yet incredibly welcoming to families like ours. If you’re looking for somewhere serene yet child-friendly, the Outrigger is a fantastic choice.
Stunning Beaches & Adventure-Ready Waters
Khao Lak’s beaches are simply spectacular. The golden sands and crystal-clear waters became our playground. Each morning, the kids would dash out to build sandcastles and search for seashells while my husband and I enjoyed our coffee with a view of the Andaman Sea.
Our favourite spot was Pak Weep Beach, where the kids could safely paddle and we found some lovely little beach restaurants serving fresh, local dishes.
We had tried to introduce the kids to Thai food before we went, and they really enjoyed the dishes, especially Pad Thai, and the abundance of fresh fruit smoothies on offer. Dining on the beach was a new experience for them, and they absolutely loved eating under the stars or the dramatic sunsets and taking a torchlit walk back up the beach afterwards, watching little crabs skittering away from our feet.
What Did We Do?
As well as plenty of relaxing (thank goodness my kids are finally at the age where they’re happy to play in the pool together while I relax with a good book!), strolling along the beach, and enjoying amazing meals, we were determined to let the kids try lots of different things for the first time. Watching their confidence blossom from taking part in new activities and meeting new people was really rewarding.
Exploring Phang Nga Bay
A big highlight was our day of sea kayaking in Phang Nga Bay. Paddling through towering limestone karsts and hidden caves was a magical experience. Both our son, Theo, 8, and our daughter Romilly, 6, were in awe of the dramatic scenery, and I loved how this active day kept everyone engaged. It was a wonderful way to introduce the kids to Thailand’s natural beauty.
Bamboo Rafting In The ‘Little Amazon’
One of the most unforgettable experiences was bamboo rafting in the “Little Amazon,” a lush jungle area along the Khao Lak River in a national park.
Floating peacefully on the river, surrounded by mangroves and towering banyan trees, felt like a step into another world.
The kids were captivated by the wildlife, spotting monkeys and colourful birds, while we relaxed and soaked in the tranquillity. Our guide was fantastic, sharing fascinating stories about the local ecosystem and culture. And then we stopped at a jungle treehouse for lunch along the way – something we’ll all remember forever.
Exploring The Sea Gypsy Village in Rawai
For a cultural immersion, we took a short trip to the sea gypsy village in Rawai. This was a wonderful way to show our children a different way of life, and they were fascinated by the brightly coloured fishing boats and the warm, welcoming locals.
The sea gypsies, or “Moken,” have lived off the sea for generations, and their traditions and community spirit are palpable. We wandered through the village, chatting with the locals (with the help of a guide) and sampling some freshly caught seafood.
The longtail boat ride also took us to ‘James Bond Island’ – where some of ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ was filmed, and that was magically beautiful. We all enjoyed the journey on a traditional Longtail boat as much as the destination. This is the Thailand you see in tourist brochures, and it was absolutely mesmerising.
Magic At The Elephant Sanctuary
A visit to the elephant sanctuary was a must for us. This ethical sanctuary provided an opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close without the harmful practices of traditional elephant tourism.
The kids adored feeding and bathing the elephants, and we all learned so much about the importance of protecting them in their natural habitats. They were lost for words when they realised we could actually get into the river with the elephants and their mahoots and help to give them a wash.
This was one of those heartwarming experiences that left a lasting impression on us all.
Tasting Thailand – From Street Food To Cuisine
Khao Lak is a foodie’s dream, and the Bang Niang Night Market was one of the highlights of our trip. We wandered through the vibrant stalls, tasting everything from mango sticky rice to freshly grilled seafood skewers. The kids loved trying coconut ice cream served in coconut shells, and my husband was thrilled to sample the variety of spicy curries and noodle dishes.
This market is a sensory overload in the best way possible — the smells, sounds, and colours of Thailand all come alive here. The chopped and rolled ice cream with a myriad of fun toppings was also a huge favourite. For me, it was all about the night market Brown Sugar Mojitos – refreshing, delicious and only 60 baht, which is roughly about a pound!
The food in Khao Lak is both diverse and incredibly fresh. Whether we were eating in a small beach shack or a more refined restaurant, the flavours were always on point. I recommend trying the local Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup) and Som Tum (green papaya salad) for a true taste of Thai cuisine.
Touring Temples & Meeting Monkeys
We also did a couple of tours of the local area, including several beautiful temples, one with an underground cave system that the kids really enjoyed exploring. There were monkeys living all around the temple, and you could purchase small bags of chopped banana and nuts to feed them in certain areas, plus really delicious fresh fruit smoothies and coffee to keep us going.
We found so much joy in spotting the local wildlife, including tropical butterflies and monitor lizards, and getting to experience things like splashing in wild waterfalls.
Our two and a half weeks in Khao Lak were filled with adventure, relaxation, and quality family time. From the thrill of bamboo rafting in the Little Amazon to the peaceful mornings spent on the beach, the trip was the perfect blend of activities that kept the kids entertained while giving us parents some much-needed downtime.
After a tough couple of years where life has hit us pretty hard, it was just what we needed to press the reset button.
If you’re thinking of venturing further afield for your family holiday, Thailand is an amazing, friendly place to visit with so much to see, do and eat – the trip of a lifetime.
