Thailand with a nearly 1yo

[curlyrebel]

My DH insisted on us going to Thailand before I go back to work. I told him ok as long as we don’t move around too much (he can never stay in just one place). He’s booked for us to go in under a month which barely leaves time for planning. Our DD will be 11 mo going on 12. I think she may start walking by then. Has anyone been to any of the islands with their babies and do you have any tips on travelling about there? Thanks

I have a daughter now but didn't when I visited Thailand however I did have 2 parents in tow which made it more challenging than when we went alone!

I have done both sides of the islands and I would say that with a baby koh Samui, Koh Tao etc are easier as from my memory the boats were large ferry like boats that take you from the mainland to the islands so I remember seeing people with babies and buggies etc.

The other side phi phi and Krabi etc I would say are slightly harder. We had to walk with our luggage out into the sea for ages with all our clothes on and money etc as the long tail boat to the island could not come in close enough. We were carrying luggage on our heads! I can imagine now with a baby that could have certainly been more challenging. Some may say it would be fine .. but just my thoughts! You will make it work.

Have a lovely time Thailand is amazing!

Thanks for your advice! Funnily enough it's Phi Phi and the islands near there that my husband wants to go to! I'm suggesting we make Phi Phi our base then we can do day trips with DD in a baby carrier. Let's see if that works!

I went to Phi Phi just before Christmas. The ferry trip from Koh Lanta to Phi Phi was good and although I didn't have a child with me, I would guess is buggy friendly, as is the ferry to other way to Phuket.

Phi Phi - if you are staying in TonSai (town) then you would be fine with a buggy as that is where the ferry stops, so there are a few roads etc. If you are staying elsewhere, then bear in mind there is no road transport on Phi Phi - everything is done via long tailed boats, which may prove challenging with a baby and a buggy - we had to wade out to the boat, then climb some rickety steps to get in it. Once in it you need to climb over the benches to get to the seats (no aisleway). I didn't stay in TonSai, but would suggest with a buggy it is easier than other places on the island.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Phi Phi at Leamtong Beach, which was about 25 minutes or so on the long tail boat from TonSai. Once there, you get taken on a sea tractor from the boat to the hotel. The trip back involved climbing off the long tail boat into the ferry out to sea (to do with the tides I think) so definitely not for the less mobile. A few restaurants along the beach, but mostly high star hotel complexes. Several vendors on the beach with boat trips, one of which is to 'The Beach' where the Leonardo de Caprio movie was shot.

Short of island hopping every day, I am not sure what you could do with a small child - snorkelling, diving etc would be out, although the beach at Leamtong is very nice and is shallow when the tide is out. Holiday Inn had 2 or 3 pools.

Koh Lanta was a nice island, perhaps a bit more going on than Phi Phi. We stayed near Saladan which had plenty of bars and restaurants - really nice authentic Thai village really. Stayed at the Chada Lanta hotel which was right on the beach. Several trips around Koh Lanta via boat and tuktuk available - might be easier with a buggy?

Kata Beach resort, on the Phuket mainland was also nice - huge beach, smaller beach cove next door, plenty of really nice eateries etc. Lots of boat trips, tuk tuks, taxis. We had a speed boat day trip to Phang Ngar (James Bond Island) which was a nice day out, including an elephant sanctuary and a trip round a floating village.

If I can help with any questions just ask!

Thank you Ruby123 that is very helpful! I think we would probably use a baby carrier where there are no proper roads. We were definitely going to visit Ko Lanta. Saladan sounds like a nice place to visit there. I think we might base ourselves in Krabbi. Any good places by the beach that would be nice?

Hi
I haven't' stayed in Krabi, so not sure of the beaches there.
When I say no roads on Phi Phi , I mean no roads at all , not even tracks.
Hope you have a great time!

Oh wow a proper island then! Thanks for the advice

Get travel injections before you go. Beware of the sun it's very hot, so use sun cream and cover up. Krabi is great and you can get ferries to some other islands or long tail boat.

Thank you! We ended up staying at Krabi, Koh Lanta and Railay Beach. Koh Lanta was good. Had a nice resort by the beach which had everything we needed. Railay had its pedestrian pathways but it was a trek to the beach and the main beach didn't have much shade. We turned up by longboat and we did rely on the kindness of strangers to help us out. Luckily we didn't have to wade through the water to get out though! The Thai people were great with our DD...very baby/child friendly!

Glad to hear you had a nice time!