Planning A Family Trip To Bangkok? Read This First
An eclectic mix of modern amenities and cultural haunts make Bangkok perfect for a family vacation
By Sandhya Mahadevan -
The City of Angels, another name for Bangkok, is a tourist’s dream. It is second among the top 10 destinations on Singaporeans’ travel list. Apart from beautiful temples, the city is known for being a massage heaven, its colourful floating markets, some of the region’s best shopping and street food, and of course its bustling nightlife.
Plus, it’s a mere two-and-a-half hour flight ride from Singapore, and makes for a wholesome inexpensive holiday even over a long weekend — whether you are single or a couple.
For those with kids, it may not be the obvious choice for a family holiday, but contrary to popular belief, Bangkok also offers a variety of activities for family fun. From museums to nature and water parks and quaint cafes, there is more than enough in Bangkok to fill your travel itinerary with. Get planning!
Situated on the outskirts of the city, Safari World is a haven for animal lovers. The 660-acre zoo is one of the most extensive in Thailand and has a separate Safari and Marine Park. The former is a coach ride around the park and offers an up-close view of the animals' way of life and feeding patterns, while you have to explore the latter on foot.
Catch a glimpse of the Savannah with giraffes, rhinos, zebras, chimpanzees and more, as well as manatees and birds. There are dolphin, sea lion, orangutan, elephant, and bird shows, as well as feeding opportunities with the animals, so expect to spend a whole day at the parks.
Safari World is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4:30pm — the Marine Park stays open till 5PM. Tickets run from THB 750 to THB 1,500, with the higher end including a buffet lunch and transfers. Strollers and wheelchairs are available for an additional THB 100 (a deposit of THB 600 is required).
When in the Thai capital, it is almost impossible to skip visiting its temples — an arduous task if you have children tagging along. The popular ones see a lot of footfall as well, so if you do want to cover some temples, plan prudently.
Wat Pho, near the Grand Palace, is a must-visit for its serene settings and beautiful architecture. It’s a melange of colours that will delight both parents and children. The 46 m reclining Buddha is a sight to behold and if you want to stay in the moment a bit longer, put some coins in your kids’ hands that they can drop in various metal alms bowls around the hall. Outside, the gardens with their waterfalls and statues of mythical beings are calming. An onsite Thai massage school makes for a perfect ending to a tiring morning.
Another temple that is worth slotting into your list is Wat Prayoon. This beautiful 19th-century temple is situated on the Thonburi side of the Chao Praya River, and features the Sri Lankan style of stupa design. Children will be delighted with the idyllic lake, which has turtles and varieties of fish. What’s more, they can hand-feed them with food available specifically at the stalls nearby.
Wat Pho is open every day from 08:00 to 18:30 and entry costs THB 200; Wat Prayoon is open from 6am to 6pm, entry is free.
Siam Amazing Park has a theme park, marine park and the only suspended looping roller coaster in Southeast Asia, and it’s not very far from the city centre — that ticks several boxes for most families! With 23 attractions, including a seven-storey waterslide and a wave pool, it’s perfect for beating the Bangkok heat while having some family fun.
There’s even a Jurassic Adventure jeep drive and a train or boat ride in African Adventure to take a peek at some wildlife.
Siam Amazing Park is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission tickets for Theme Park, Marine Park and Adventure Park run from THB 1,000 for adults and from THB 200 for small children. Those under 100cm can enter for free.
Set in historic Kanchanaburi, this elephant reserve houses those injured from working in the tourism industry or are just enjoying their old age. You and your family can feed and bathe these gentle giants — you even get to help prepare the food for them.
Combine your trip with a stopover at the Bridge over River Kwai, of World War II fame and also the star of its namesake 1957 film starring Alec Guinness, as well as the Kanchanaburi War Cemetry and museums.
Elephants World is open from 8am until late evening. Tickets run from THB 1,800 for adults and THB 1,300 for children for a Half Day program including food and beverages; THB 2,500 for adults and THB 1,500 for children for a Full Day Program with food and beverages. They also have overnight programmes. Check out their taxi transfer services.
Bangkok changes things up with a cafe that has not one but 12 corgis frolicking around. Better yet, it is in the heart of the city, so you can take some time off your sightseeing to chill in the cafe with a drink, while your children have their hands full with the adorable pups. The cafe is not for drop-ins — you will need to book a slot, but it is well worth it, and Instagram-worthy, too.
Corgi In The Garden is open from 12:30pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 10:30am to 6pm on weekends. Entrance fee to play with the corgis is THB 250, inclusive of a drink.
Anantara Siam Hotel Bangkok, situated in the cosmopolitan belt of the Thai capital, ticks chic aesthetic, luxury and family friendliness in one fell swoop. With the top-class amenities that are signature to the brand, adults have nothing to complain about. While a Kids' Club, mini playground and little touches such as their own bathrobe and bedtime cookies with a glass of milk, staying here will keep the children happy without any additional effort on your part. The hotel also offers babysitting services. All rooms and suites have been designed with families in mind. Plus it is bang in the centre of the city in close proximity to malls and metro stations. Prices per room are from $242.
Amari Watergate Bangkok is in the vibrant Pratunam neighbourhood of Bangkok and conveniently located near many of the city's attractions including the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Many kid-friendly amenities such as a kids' club and a children's pool, as well as babysitting services, ensure that parents enjoy their vacation as much as their little ones are kept entertained.
Millennium Hilton Bangkok tags luxury with location and family-friendly amenities. Once your children have had their fill at the hotel's rooftop pool and have savoured the eclectic cuisine at its many restaurants, they can hop over to the nearby Lumpini Park. At the expansive park, idyllic nature meets outdoor leisure activities for children and adults alike. Millennium Hilton Bangkok's central location also places you close to some of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks. Its spacious Family Suite comfortably accommodates a family of four while affording enough privacy, while the Royal Suite offers apartment-style luxury. Prices start at $404 inclusive of breakfast for a Family Suite.