A handy guide to travelling in Thailand with children - safety, childcare and living

Chiang Mai for children - Thailand

'Sanook' (fun) is the central theme in Thailand, especially for kids.

Taking children to a foreign destination can be daunting, and it is essential to search out the sights and activities that will appeal to the whole family. Fortunately, there are plenty of outings and activities in Chiang Mai that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Thais love children and if you are feeling overwhelmed, you will find plenty of people willing to hold your baby for a spell.

Fun activities for kids in Chiang Mai

Living in Chiang Mai with children

If you are planning to come and live in Chiang Mai, your children will find themselves in a welcoming environment. There is a very delightful child-like character to the Thai, and children, foreign one's especially, are adored by all Thais. Fun is the operative word here and your children will soon find themselves among playful company, where language is hardly thought of as a barrier.

In Thailand children are highly treasured and largely left to do as they please, yet few of them turn out as precocious brats. The ex-pat community of families is large enough to guarantee a sense of familiarity for new-comers and there are numerous schools and play-groups in English.

Thailand is an enchanting experience for kids too.

Travelling with Children in Thailand

Without exception, all people in Thailand love children and they are welcome in almost all places, and more than tolerated. The Thai really admire foreign-looking children and you're more likely to find volunteers for baby-sitting or amusing your children than people grumbling over noise.

Getting around with children is pretty painless, and travelling with children in tow in Thailand isn't a financial burden. You can take them with you to most places, and there are usually impromtu activities for the kids, though don't expect Disneyland. Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket all have attractions perfect for kids, such as the Zoo and animal shows (Chiang Mai), Safariworld and water parks (Bangkok) and Phuket Fantasy.

Safety

Chiang Mai is generally a safe city, but you should be mindful of your children, especially around traffic. Keep young children within your sight or with a trusted adult. Fair-skinned children (or any children for that matter) can become a target for kidnappers; it is rare, but you wouldn't want it to happen to you. Thailand is considered extremely safe for Children.

There are a number of stray dogs in the city, and children should be told not to touch these dogs as they have not been vaccinated and have led rough lives, making them unpredictable at times. Additionally, mosquitoes can be relentless here and can carry dengue fever, so children should be kept indoors at dusk and wear a repellent. Fortunately there is no risk of malaria infection in Chiang Mai and most of Northern Thailand.

While adults might be quite tolerant of hot Thai food, some of the more spicy dishes can be irritating to a child's stomach. The sun here is even hotter than the food, and delicate skin can burn easily. That said, there are exciting new choices for those with a sweet tooth, and Thailand has a fantastic selection of unique sweets and strange fruits, they have also taken to baking with zest.

Make sure the little ones wear sunscreen and hats, and drink plenty of water. Hospitals in the city are very good and if your child gets sick, don't hesitate to him or her to a doctor. Diarrhoea does occur fairly frequently here among tourists, usually due to their lower tolerance to spicy food or market food they may not have been prepared to the up most standards of hygiene, but dysentery is rare.

Childcare

Because of the Thai extended family system, there is little or no childcare available. If parents cannot care for their children, a grandmother, aunt, or even the housekeeper may do so. Many of the largest hotels may offer a babysitting service though, and most of the shopping malls have a reliable childcare centre. If your child is of preschool age you may be able to make arrangements at a bilingual preschool for short-term care and activities.

Hiring a child carer or arranging a baby sitter isn't difficult, though you have to depend on word of mouth. The good news is that they are very affordable (about 50 baht an hour).