Hello budding adventurer! Today I'm telling you about the next stage in our journey, entitled "Thailand for two months: our adventure with two children". Get ready to immerse yourself in the story of our discoveries, our tips and our unforgettable moments as a family.
Chapter 4: Accommodation: Where did we stay?
For Bangkok, we chose accommodation close to the airport on the outward journey to make it easier for the children to settle in, as they were tired after the flight and we only had to spend one day and one night there. On the way back, we preferred to stay in the city for two days so that we could do some sightseeing before we left. However, the high level of pollution in Bangkok at the moment was a factor to be taken into account, and although the temples are magnificent, their appeal to children is limited. We also had to organise the visits around the little one's nap time.
For Koh Samui, we opted for a well-located house in Lamai, just a five-minute scooter ride from our daughter's school. The location is ideal, close to all amenities, with a swimming pool shared between several houses. However, the pool is not directly accessible from the house, which is about twenty metres away, which is an important safety feature for our very active three-year-old.
The other options often offered unsecured pools, which was a key criterion for us.
Our selection criteria :
- Close to amenities and school.
- Sufficient space for children
- Safety, especially for swimming pools
- Reasonable budget (more on that later)
Chapter 5: Local means of transport
The ideal means of transport in Thailand is a scooter, but be careful! Contrary to popular belief, you need a full motorbike licence to drive one legally.
Tourists are not very familiar with this rule, but it can lead to problems in the event of an inspection or accident.
My partner was very disappointed, and even got on my nerves at first about the scooter thing, but then again, my priority is the children.
If you have a collision and have to be hospitalised because you weren't insured because your driving licence isn't valid, I hope you're prepared to go into debt... after that, if it's just a question of equipment, you pay for it and that's that!
Spoiler Alert
And there are accidents on the island. Traffic here is nothing like in France or any other European country. You don't have roundabouts and there are virtually no pedestrian crossings (so it often takes a long time to cross, especially as a pedestrian you don't have priority 😉 ).
On a scooter, you overtake on the right, on the left, you turn as you can and at intersections, well... I still haven't understood if there was a rule apart from "make your own way when you've had enough of waiting".
And then there are those who drive too fast for the circumstances. I'm a biker myself, but I don't really ride fast here, and helmets are supposed to be compulsory (I wear them) but most people don't wear them afterwards... to each his own.
But it's easy to park a scooter here, whereas it's much harder to park a car.
Travelling with children requires rigorous organisation. We use :
- Scooter (with caution) : Ideal for short distances, but always with helmets suitable for children.
- Public transport in Bangkok or Koh Samui : Practical and economical, they make it easy to get around town.
- Taxi and Grab (yes, this is not uber): To make journeys with children easier, especially over long distances or when tired.
Key points:
- Make sure you have a helmet suitable for children if you use a scooter: Safety first and foremost!
- Check the availability of car seats for car rentals: They are not always supplied automatically.
- Anticipate journey times, especially in Bangkok where traffic is heavy: This avoids surprises and delays.
Chapter 6: Travel Health and Insurance
Travelling to Thailand with children requires a bit of preparation, particularly when it comes to health and insurance. To ensure a worry-free trip, it's essential to take out health insurance covering the following:
- Medical consultations as required.
- Emergencies and hospitalisations.
- Repatriation in the event of a serious problem.
- Medicines and care for children.
Precautions taken :
- First aid kit : We take along the essentials for children, such as antiseptics, antipyretics and antihistamines.
- Information on quality medical centres and hospitals close to where you are staying. It's best to be prepared in case of an emergency.
- Up-to-date vaccinations : Before departure, we check that the children's vaccinations are up to date (hepatitis A in this case).
Thailand is renowned for the quality of its medical care.
Having lived in the Philippines before joining my family in Thailand, I noticed a clear difference in terms of health services.
Insurance!
On the advice of our friends Hugues and Pascale, who are regulars on Koh Samui, we took out insurance for the whole family on arrival. Details of the cost will be discussed later.
This insurance offers comprehensive cover.
For example, at the crèche, when we were asked which hospital we preferred in the event of a problem with our son, we were initially undecided.
After consulting the locals, they recommended the Bangkok Hospital, which is renowned for systematically sending a nurse or doctor in the ambulance. Our insurance allows us to consult any hospital.
Hospitalisation costs are covered without advance payment, but consultations with a doctor must be paid for locally and are reimbursed afterwards.
To find out more about Koh Samui and the insurance we have chosen, go to place or call for more information.
Be careful!!! there is an 8-day waiting period before the insurance becomes active, so don't do what we did... don't wait until you get there!
Nutrition and hydration
Thai cuisine is renowned for its richness and diversity. However, travelling with children requires a few extra precautions.
Our tips :
- Hydration The tropical climate can be tough. Make sure children drink sealed bottled water regularly. Avoid ice cubes, as the water used may not be filtered.
- Food Street food is delicious, but choose busy stalls and make sure the food is well cooked. The kids loved the Pad Thai (fried noodles) and other local specialities.
By following these recommendations, you can make the most of your trip to Thailand with your children, while ensuring their health and well-being.
I've shared with you our choices of accommodation, the means of transport we used, and the precautions we took to ensure our family's health and safety.
But the adventure doesn't stop there! In my next article, I'll be talking about :
Chapter 7: The activities and sports we enjoyed
Chapter 8: The detailed budget for our trip: how much does it really cost?
Chapter 9: Our advice for worry-free family travel
Stay tuned for the rest of "Thailand for two months: our adventure with two children".
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