Living & visas
Thailand with kids: Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Samui or Bangkok
Thailand is one of the most child-friendly corners of Asia: a warm sea, smiling people, water parks, good hospitals and plenty of families around. But the resorts are very different. We compared five popular destinations through parents' eyes and gathered the practical side: vaccinations, car seats, the heat and what to bring from home.
In short
- Pattaya offers infrastructure and proximity to Bangkok, Phuket the Andaman Sea beaches, Hua Hin calm, Samui quiet bays.
- By law, children under 6 or under 135 cm must ride in a car seat or booster; the fine is up to 2,000 ฿.
- The CDC advises routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and B and typhoid before travelling.
Destinations compared
| Destination | What is good for kids | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya | water parks, Nong Nooch, Koh Larn, a children's hospital centre, many international schools nearby | water at town beaches can be cloudier; head to the island for clear water |
| Phuket | gently shelving beaches (Kata, Karon), Andamanda water park, a big aquarium | waves on the Andaman Sea from May to October |
| Hua Hin | a long calm beach, Vana Nava water park, a quiet pace | fewer attractions, no international flights, travel from Bangkok |
| Samui | quiet bays with shallow water such as Lipa Noi | rainy from October to December, flights via Bangkok |
| Bangkok | SEA LIFE aquarium and KidZania at Siam Paragon, Safari World, the best hospitals | no sea, hot and lots of traffic |
Pattaya
A city with big infrastructure for families: two large water parks (Ramayana and Aquaverse), Nong Nooch Garden, an aquarium, Khao Kheow zoo nearby and Koh Larn island with white sand. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has a children's centre with 24-hour care and paediatric intensive care. Several international schools are close to the city. Details in Pattaya with kids and Schools and kindergartens in Pattaya.
Phuket
The island with the country's best-known beaches. For little ones Kata and Karon are good, with a gentle slope, especially from November to April when the sea is calm. There is the big Andamanda water park, the Aquaria aquarium at Central Phuket, international schools and Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Compared with Pattaya in Pattaya or Phuket.
Hua Hin
A calm resort for those who value quiet. A long wide beach with shallow water and the Vana Nava water park with a kids' zone. Hua Hin is the driest resort in winter, but there are no international flights; people drive from Bangkok.
Samui
An island in the Gulf of Thailand with quiet bays where it stays shallow for a hundred metres, such as Lipa Noi. Good for a calm family holiday, but mind the weather: rainy from October to December, best from February. Resort weather is covered in Wintering in Thailand.
Bangkok
Not a beach destination but very child-friendly: the SEA LIFE aquarium and the KidZania city of professions at Siam Paragon, easy to combine in one day, and the Safari World park. The country's best hospitals are here too. The old Dusit Zoo is closed; the new city zoo is under construction and plans to open in 2027.
Practical tips for parents
Vaccinations
The US CDC advises having all routine vaccinations before travelling to Thailand, plus hepatitis A and B and typhoid. Japanese encephalitis and rabies vaccines are discussed with a doctor if you are staying long or spending a lot of time outdoors and around animals. See a paediatrician 4 – 6 weeks before the trip.
Car seats
Under Thailand's Road Traffic Act as amended in 2022, children under 6 or under 135 cm must ride in a car seat or booster, with a fine of up to 2,000 ฿. Seat belts are compulsory in the back too. Regular taxis and Grab rarely have seats, so book a transfer with a seat in advance or bring your own booster.
Heat and sun
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health counts young children as a risk group in hot weather. The hottest time is 11:00 to 15:00, best spent in the shade or indoors. Light loose clothing, a hat, sunscreen and water rather than sugary drinks. Never leave a child in a car.
What to bring from home
Nappies, formula, baby purées and cereals are sold at Big C and Lotus's supermarkets and Boots and Watsons pharmacies. But if your child needs a specific or special formula, bring a supply: niche brands are harder to find.
If you are choosing where to live
For family life in Pattaya people usually choose Jomtien for the beach and promenade or East Pattaya to be near the international schools. Districts are compared in Where to live in Pattaya.
If you are looking for a home in Pattaya, we will help you choose the area and a condo for your family.
FAQ
Where in Thailand is best with a small child?
For a beach holiday with infrastructure, Pattaya and Phuket; for quiet, Hua Hin and Samui. Pattaya is close to Bangkok and has a good children's hospital centre.
Do I need a car seat in a taxi in Thailand?
By law, children under 6 or under 135 cm must ride in a car seat or booster; the fine is up to 2,000 baht. Regular taxis rarely have them, so book a transfer with a seat in advance.
Which vaccinations should a child have before Thailand?
The CDC advises routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and B and typhoid. Discuss the rest with a paediatrician.
Can I buy nappies and formula in Thailand?
Yes, at Big C, Lotus's and Boots and Watsons pharmacies. Bring special formulas with you.
Sources
- CDC: Thailand, advice for travellers with children
- Bangkok Post: child car seats required by law from 2022
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya: children's health centre
- Thai Meteorological Department: climate normals 1991–2020, PDF
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
