Thailand with 2 x under 4

[gemini1990]

Has anyone got any experience of Thailand with two under 4? (1&3 years old)

We are looking at two weeks in Jan on Koh Samui.

Wondering whether to break the journey up with a stay in Bangkok at the start and end of the trip, so we can leave the airport on arrival to BKK, sleep, eat, freshen up and then on to KS the next day.

Or is it better to just get to the islands and power through?

It would purely be an airport hotel in BKK, because it's an hour trip to KhaoSan (I'd love to take the kids there as I spent so much time around that area when travelling in my 20s) but don't think it's worth it.

Any other pearls of wisdom would be really welcomed.

Watching this; we’re looking at for over Christmas but staying in the mainland or Phuket potentially but what’s putting me off is the need for vaccines, the NHS fit for travel page is saying they need all of them some aren’t suitable for under 2s and don’t know whether to risk it!

Haven't done it with kids but we do spend a couple of weeks in South East Asia most Novembers and typically fly into Bangkok. Without exception we spend a night or two in Bangkok before making out onward journey. This helps us get over jet lag/tiredness and gives us a little fix of a city we love. I think with kids though I'd be tempted to bite the bullet and power through as the last hop to KS will be relatively brief. Will you be booking a connecting flight straight through to KS? If not, you'll have to go all the way though passport control and bag collection then bag through the whole process of checking in again and in that case, id definitely stay the night.

We've been traveling to Thailand and South East Asia more broadly for ten years now and have not had any vaccines. Though I did in my early 20s when back packing but I don't think they still count 🤔

@Bs0u416d I know part of me thinks I’m being silly but wouldn’t want them to refuse medical pay out if we don’t have it etc. DH & I have travelled to SE Asia and had the vaccines so may still be in date but we did go to places more remote etc than what we would this time.

Do you know what, it never even crossed my mind that we wouldn't be covered for insurance!! Though the with the style of trip we do we do now, it feels more likely that we'd get gout than yellow fever 😂. I honestly think you'd be fine, particularly in Phuket and if your not roughing it but that's an understandable concern. How typical of life, for the humdrum details to spoil the fun!

@Fran92 friends of ours have been lots with little ones and not had any jabs but will look in to this further!

@Bs0u416d we could book a connecting flight so no need to collect bags etc. just means it'll be about a 22 hour journey door to door with two very young kids and not sure I've got that in me tbh 😆

We have friends there with their 18 month and almost 4 year old right now. They have gone for a month.

Yes it does seem like a grim prospect 😂. I feel tempted to suggest that it's still worth the journey into Bangkok propper for a skyscraper hotel and high rise infinity pool views, but it probably isnt. Book an airport hotel, collapse, swim, sleep and then fly out a bit more refreshed in the morning!

@gemini1990 it’s just when you read the page it’s make it sound like a child with get Hep A if they scratch themselves or Rabies or Typhoid if they drink the water / pool! Still, even with the cost of the vaccines it’s on par with two weeks in the canaries over Christmas!

On another thread I was suggested to go Hua Hin / Cha Am to get away from internal flights which is tempting but Phuket looks more appealing but more expensive!

I spoke to a travel clinic and they said no need for any vaccinations (this was for Phuket, Khao Lak, Bangkok and Hua Hin) for DS. I am immunosuppressed and have to be careful but they also said I was fine just to be sensible and lots of handwashing.

It depends what you want from your holiday? Prams are a pain in Bangkok but I used a sling in Thailand. Depending on budget the Anatara (sp?) has a kids club, kids pool etc. or the Chatrium riverside has a great pool.

Personal choice, I love the Novotel at the airport in Bangkok. It does 24 hour check in ie if you check in at 9pm, you check out at 9pm the following day which works really well for the midnight flight to London.