In February 2025 we enjoyed an amazing family holiday to Thailand and more specifically Khao Lak in the South-west of Thailand. It’s a truly wonderful destination for a family holiday. We covered our holiday on our Instagram page @paradisefallsfamily and in our Youtube vlog series. On this and the accompanying pages we provide a more detailed overview of Thailand and our holiday to help you plan your own Thailand adventure.
Thailand, known as the land of smiles, is a fantastic family holiday destination known for its stunning beaches, amazing culture and welcoming atmosphere.
There really is something for everyone, whether its exploring busy cities, relaxing on pristine beaches, hiking through the jungle, spotting wildlife or delving into the amazing local culture. There is so much to see and do, or just relax in one the pristine resorts if that’s your thing. The friendly locals mean you always feel welcome and make for a relaxing and fun holiday. Plus the array of restaurants available, be it local cuisine, or western food, make eating out as a family really easy, and cheap.
Thailand offers a perfect balance of excitement and tranquility, making it an ideal choice for creating family memories.
Thailand first made it onto our list as we were looking for somewhere where we could enjoy some wildlife experiences. We considered a range of destinations – Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Costa Rice, Sri Lanka, but found Thailand offered what we wanted from our holiday. With the opportunity to see wild Elephants, Monkeys and more, to visit one of the many Elephant sanctuaries dotted around the country and take in everything else on offer, and at an affordable price, it was a no brainer.
As you’d expect there are many different areas you can visit within Thailand, with the capital Bangkok being an obvious starting point, Chang Mai in the north offering some amazing Elephant experiences, and then so many coastal destinations in the south around Koh Samui, Phuket and Khao Lak to name a few. For our February 2025 trip we opted for 10 nights in Khao Lak and here we provide more information on what we got up to and how you can spend your family holiday in the region.
Khao Lak is located in the Phang Nga region, in the South West corner of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea, sitting slightly north of Phuket. The Phang Nga region is a picturesque area renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, primarily situated around the stunning Phang Nga Bay, with its green waters dotted with towering limestone karsts, intriguing islands and idyllic beaches.
The area primarily has 3 main destinations for tourists – Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, all situated around Phang Nga bay.
Phuket – its probably fair to say is the most popular and most lively and likely your gateway to the region due to its international airport. Phuket is an island on the tip of the Phang Nga region, renowned for its nightlife, luxurious resorts and amazing beaches. There is loads to keep you occupied here and it’s a fantastic spot for a holiday although being a young family we were encouraged to consider Krabi and Khao Lak instead.
Krabi – located the other side of the bay to Phuket and Khao Lak, Krabi is famous for its limestone cliffs, mangrove forests and dozens of offshore islands including the famous Phi Phi islands. The landscapes here truly are amazing, and the beaches, including Railay Beach, and the surrounding coral reefs make it a great spot to get out on the water.
Khao Lak – located just north of Phuket on the mainland, Khao Lak has a more relaxed and quieter vibe compared to Phuket and is a fantastic spot for a family holiday. Stretching along the coastline, you have all the beaches you could wish for while remaining within reaching distance of all of the attractions in the region. Khao Lak is also the best spot from which to reach the Similan and Surin islands. These form part of the region's marine national parks, and offer some of the world's best diving and snorkelling experiences, with coral reefs teeming with marine life.
Special mention
Elephant Hills, Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park is located in the north of the region, just above Khao Lak and known for being the oldest rainforest in the world, with beautiful mountains and the vast Cheow Larn Lake. This is your best bet spotting wild animals including elephants, monkeys, birds, snakes and even bears and tigers. The Elephant Hills resort located here is renowned for its unique overnight experiences, where you can glamp in the jungle and stay overnight in a floating bungalow on the lake, while enjoying excursions into the jungle, out on the Lake and to the nearby elephant sanctuary.