Cheap Family Holidays to Thailand

Resorts built with families in mind offer the best value when you want pools, kids clubs and simple beach access in one place.

• Pattaya: Pattaya sits roughly two hours by road from the capital and has several water parks, making it one of the most practical choices for families who want activities close to the hotel. The trade-off is a livelier town atmosphere than the quieter coasts, so families with very young children may prefer a resort set back from the main strip. We find it offers strong value for a short-haul style stay with plenty to fill each day. It is exactly the brief our Thailand Family Holidays deals are built around.
• Khao Lak: Khao Lak has calm, gently shelving beaches that suit children learning to swim, along with quieter beach resorts that keep evenings relaxed. Older children can take a day trip into the rainforest of the national park nearby, which adds an adventurous outing to a beach holiday. Families who prioritise a peaceful beach and easy water entry tend to rate it highly, though nightlife and shopping are limited compared with busier resort towns, so it suits the same brief our Thailand All Inclusive Holidays deals are built around: a relaxed base with plenty to do on your own terms.
• Koh Samui: Koh Samui has a broad range of family resorts with pools, beaches and organised activities, and its airport allows direct flights from the capital, which saves a long overland journey. The island is larger and more developed than many alternatives, so choosing the right stretch of coast matters for quiet nights. We regard it as a strong all-round option where facilities and convenience count for as much as the price.
• Phuket: Phuket offers the widest choice of family hotels in the south, with long beaches and a large range of price points that can help control spending. Its international airport and frequent connections make arrival straightforward, though the busier beach areas can be crowded at peak times. Families seeking variety in restaurants and excursions will find it hard to beat, provided they select a resort away from the nightlife strip.
• Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai is a northern city with a cooler, mountain-influenced climate and a walled old town filled with temples that children often find fascinating. Family-friendly guesthouses and hotels generally cost less than beach resorts, and the city offers cookery classes and elephant sanctuaries as activities. The main limitation is the absence of a beach, so families wanting sea time should plan a coastal leg into the itinerary.