Family Trip to Bangkok
More specifically Family Vacation in Bangkok in Part 1 of this series and Pattaya later. You might say, “I understand Family vacation in Bangkok but Pattaya?” Well, hold your horses a little while longer, while we let the cats out of the bag. Here we talk of Family holidays in Bangkok where we look at things kids can do in Bangkok.
Thailand has always been and will always be one of the most important and frequented destinations for Indian tourists since ages. Its proximity to India, affordability and shopping options from street side to the huge branded stores, much like in India, provides the comfort of home away from home. Many among these a-million-and-a-half Indians along with 35+ million tourists from other parts of the world, are families with kids in tow. 🙂
So this time our compilation of things to do is solely aimed at family vacation in Bangkok and Pattaya & nearby places. There are many other activities for family and children, young and old, to do in Bangkok but as always, these writings are based on my experiences or at least visiting them and are indicative how much fun can a family holiday be in Bangkok.
Please note that the prices indicated are ticket price for foreigners.
Family Vacation in Bangkok With Kids
We entered one of the largest malls of Bangkok. I am sure there is a question in your mind, “why a mall, first of all”? While shopping is one of the biggest pastimes of tourists and Thai people, my reasons for entering the mall was entirely fishy! 🙂
Sea life Bangkok Ocean World
We went down the stairs into the largest aquarium in South East Asia (10,000+ SqM)! The aquarium is divided into over sections based on a theme or type of exhibits.
While there are the mandatory colorful fishes, the huge spider crab caught my attentions as its many legs seemed to tell me “come into parlor, we will have fun”. 🙂
Shark walk was another deadly place where the walkway is made of glass and underneath were some of the largest sharks. It was quite safe though. Had the glass cracked, I would not be telling this tale. 🙂
Other highlights were the Penguins, Sting Rays, Coral reef, a long glass tunnel which gave a feeling of walking among the fishes and many more.
Location: Siam Paragon
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM – Last entry 8:00PM
Tickets: Adult THB 990, Children (3-11 years) – THB 790. 10% discount for booking online
How to reach: BTS Siam Station is the closest.
Time required: About 1 to 3 hours depending on crowd and your interests.
Tips: Book online to get discounts and also look for combo tickets to give you better value for money. Go early or on week days to avoid crowds
Website: http://www.sealifebangkok.com/
Kidzania
In the same premises is Kidzania. This is a novel space for children where they are encouraged to learn their favorite profession they want to do when they grow up, like a fireman, a banker or a doctor or any of those glamorous professions or even a chef. They learn by role play and actually doing things the way the adult-professional would do. Both their physical and mental capacities are benefited by these activities.
Location: Siam Paragon
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 5:00PM, Sat and Sun – 10:30AM to 5:30PM
Tickets: Weekdays – Adult THB 600, Children – THB 1000. On Weekends Adult THB 720, Children – THB 1200. Please note kids pay more!
How to reach: BTS Siam Station is the closest.
Time required: About 2 hours or more depending on crowd and getting your kid out of the place 🙂
Tips: Go early or on week days to avoid crowds
Website: http://bangkok.kidzania.com/en-th/
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
In the adjacent Siam Discovery Complex, is the world-famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Bangkok edition. In fact, the two properties are connected internally and seems like one.
The usual suspects such as, Amitabh Bachchan, Obama, several sports, Hollywood and political figures are present. I was surprised at one of the latest entries, that of Prabhas, who is known to the world as Baahubali! That is the impact of Indian Cinema.
The time flies when you start taking selfies with your favorite heroes and characters.
One of the highlights for me was the 4D show Ice Age No Time for Nuts, where we were snowed down, drenched, shaken and stirred in our seats in sync with the escapades of Scrat, the squirrel’s adventures and it felt as if we were in the movie.
Location: Siam Discovery
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM – Last entry 8:00PM
Tickets: Adult THB 990, Children (3-11 years) – THB 790. Booking online is just THB645. Many combos are available. Please check the website for details
How to reach: BTS Siam Station is the closest.
Time required: About 1 to 3 hours depending on crowd and time required for photographing.
Tips: Book online to get discounts and also look for combo tickets with Ocean World to give you better value for money. Go early or on week days to avoid crowds
Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/bangkok/en/
Amped Trampoline Park
It is a huge place with lots of trampolines. 52 interconnected trampolines, in fact. The walls are padded and some of the trampolines are at an angle to give that additional spurt of Adrenalin.
There are also climbing walls and other activities varying in difficulty levels. There are designated times for children too.
Location: Chavanich, Bangkok
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Tickets: weekday 399 THB unlimited or 230 per hour, 120 subsequent hours. Weekend THB 499 unlimited or 290 per hour , 150 for subsequent hours. Check the website for latest information
How to reach: BTS Phra Kanong station
Time required: About 1 hour or more depending on interest.
Tips: If you are intending to be there for 3 hours or more go for the unlimited jumps. Please take your own grip socks which is mandatory otherwise you may buy there for 80 THB.
Website: http://ampedthailand.com/en/
Shopping & Night Markets
For many families shopping is indeed a favorite pastime, especially for the lady-members. Bangkok and of course rest of Thailand, is known for shopping.
I would like to categorize them as follows
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- Big brands: There are huge malls in the vicinity of Siam area of Bangkok, where the retail outlets for likes of international brands Jimmy Choo, Versace and Prada may be found. They are shops with no price tags. Some of these malls are Siam Center, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, The Emquartier et al
- Shop like the locals do: They are again classified as malls or markets (like Chatuchak market) and have smaller shops. I club the malls and markets together because they sell more less the same stuff but the street markets could be a mite cheaper. Most of them sell local branded items. At any time in these malls and markets there may be a million (!) or more people. (I am exaggerating, but you get the picture!) Such is the ambience at the shopping-crazy Bangkok. E.g. MBK Center, Platinum Fashion Mall, Indra Square, Pratunam street market, Chatuchak weekend market and several others
- Shop when malls close at the night markets: After a day of arduous sightseeing I spent a leisurely hour among the street vendors of Palladium night market, soaking in the atmosphere and not particularly wanting to buy anything. Palladium night market is just on the sidewalks of Palladium mall. This is just one. There are night markets galore in Bangkok. These are essentially street markets selling apparel, local handicrafts, footwear, titbits, souvenirs and snacks etc. and are mainly aimed at the tourists. TALAD Neon, Silom, Patpong, Pathuwan, Palladium are a few of them. Expect a thronging crowd on any evening and be extremely careful of your belongings.
Other activities in Bangkok
There are myriad other activities to do in Bangkok like cruises, Art in Paradise Trick Eye Museum, adventure games and ice skating and snow town too. Believe us, there are some fabulous things to do in Bangkok. The purpose here was to just to kindle your interest for a wholesome family fun in Thailand.
Day trips from Bangkok
There are several interesting day trips from Bangkok. I had the opportunity to visit some really interesting ones. Something I have never seen before.
Damneon Saduak Floating Market:
Generally the words “floating market” conjures up images, in my mind’s eye, of boats carrying stuff moored just off the banks of rivers and lakes, and buyers buying whatever stuff they wanted from the shore itself. At least that’s what I have seen in the past.
Damnoen Saduak floating market, 94km from Bangkok, is quite different. Firstly, I got into a long tail motor boat and for the first few 100 metres, there were shops on the shore along the water front! The buyers were actually floating and the shops were on stilts. When we got into thick of happenings, it was chaotic. Everyone was everywhere. I mean there were shops on the side, shops on the boat, people everywhere but fortunately no one was inside the water. It was an awesome experience, to say the least. Wait for a complete article on this.
Mae Klong Railway Market:
This is another market not to be missed. It looks like any other market with small shops, with their awnings fully drawn out to protect shoppers from harsh sun. There are hundreds of such shops on both sides of a 3 metres pathway.
So what is strange about it? You may ask. Only difference is that the “PathWay” was actually the “RailWay” tracks. Every so often a passenger train comes, announcements are made, awnings are drawn back the people go helter-skelter to safety. It is a sight to behold!
Tips: The train schedules on April 2018 is as follows.
Train arrives at 8:30AM into Mae Klong Station, ejects its passengers, swallows a new lot and undertakes the return journey at 9:00AM.
Then again at 11:00AM, the show(!) is repeated. It could get very crowded, mostly because of tourists.
Reach 10 minutes before at least to get a vantage position. There are probably earlier trains but the market is not open so isn’t worth the visit. Please also note although it is quite safe when the train passes you at 30 cm from your nose, it is better to stay still and not indulge in Selfie movements. 😀
More tips: It is easy to cover both the floating market and the Mae Klong railway market in a single trip as they are only 20km from each other. Timing is everything!
Ayutthaya, Capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom or Siam
Read in details about and how to plan your day trip to Ayutthaya.
Ayutthaya is a 14th century capital city of the kingdom of Ayutthaya or Ayudhya, founded by Somdet Phra Ramathibodi I. The city was name Ayutthaya after the Indian city of Ayodhya associated with Hindu God Rama. It shows the extent of Hindu influence in that period.
For history buffs interested in old Thai culture and older temples, some of which are in ruins, this is a must. I still think it qualifies as a family destination, because of the culture & historical value spread over 400 years. Later the capital shifted to Bangkok and the kingdom was called Siam Thailand.
Location: Ayutthaya is 80km North of Bangkok.
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Tickets: THB 50 for foreigners at each and every temple.
How to reach: Hire a cab or Take a train, or take a bus. Many important Buddhist temples are scattered around the city. Best would be to negotiate a price with a tuktuk to take you around. Or better still get a guided tour right from Bangkok.
Time required: About 3 hours or more depending on interest
Tips: Drink lot of water, carry snacks, wear a hat and apply sun block generously.
Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/576
Please wait for the second part of Family Trip to Thailand, where we will take you on a journey in and around Pattaya. Trust me, it is a family vacation!
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