ASIA
WHERE TO EAT, STAY AND PLAY IN
Bangkok
Thailand’s bustling capital provides an exciting introduction to one of our favourite holiday destinations, giving kids the chance to discover the country’s rich history and culture – not to mention the fun theme parks!
Things to do in Bangkok with kids
A visit to the sprawling Grand Palace complex, which was built for the king in the 1780s, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a great first stop on any Thailand itinerary. The neighbouring Buddhist temple Wat Pho is home to the largest reclining Buddha statue in the country. The gold-plated statue is 46 metres long and 15 metres tall.
Floating markets – in which goods are sold from boats – also provide a colourful, fun and educational experience for kids. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is around an hour’s drive from the city centre, is the most popular and can be visited on a guided tour. You can also visit “Thai silk king” Jim Thompson’s house, which is like an oasis in the middle of the city, to see the American businessman and architect’s collection of Asian art showcased in the home he designed.
Bangkok also boasts several theme parks and family attractions. Dream World Park has a range of fun rides, a giant’s house to explore and a cable car. Safari World is an open zoo and marine park, with frequent wildlife feeding shows, while SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World has a seven-metre-high aquarium, with a mermaid dive show taking visitors to explore the lost city of Atlantis four times a day on weekends and public holidays. Head to Fantasia Lagoon water park on the rooftop of The Mall Shopping Center Bangkae or Flow House simulated surf centre to cool off, or Bangkok Planetarium and observatory for science and star gazing. Benjakitti Park has a large lake, with walking tracks and playgrounds. A Little Something Cooking School is a great place for families to learn to cook together, while IMAGINIA Playland in The Emporium Shopping Complex uses interactive digital technology to enable children to discover their creativity through art, music, literature and strategic play.
Opening image: Visit a floating market near Bangkok
Images: See zebras at Safari World, The Reclining Buddha statue at Wat Pho, A woman spinning silk at Jim Thompson's House
Family-friendly Bangkok hotels
Bangkok is bursting with modern, conveniently located hotels – so much so that the choice may seem overwhelming! Deciding which one to book depends on your family’s preferences.
Located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district, the five-star Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is a 55-storey hotel with spectacular views over the city from its hotel rooms and restaurants. The hotel is a foodies’ paradise, with everything from European fare and creative cocktails from rooftop restaurant and bar Red Sky to tapas at UNO MAS, Chinese-Cantonese cuisine at Dynasty and CRU Champagne Bar. There are also more than 500 restaurants at the adjoining shopping centre. There’s a large pool with a sundeck on the 26th floor, along with an award-winning SPA Cenvaree, a gym and tennis courts. It’s around 10 minutes’ walk to Chidlom BTS SkyTrain Station.
On the northern side of Bangkok, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok has a large resort-style pool and is close to the beautiful Chatuchak Park and Thailand’s largest market, which is a great place to try local suisine. The five-star hotel is connected to the Central Plaza shopping centre, close to the BTS Ha Yaek Ladphrao Station and MRT Underground Phahon Yothin Station.
In the downtown Pratunam area, the four-star Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok has family suites with bunk beds the kids will love. Connected to Watergate Pavillion Shopping Mall, the trendy hotel has 281 rooms and suites, a rooftop lounge bar, a full-service spa, and a gym. Its central location makes it great for shopping and street markets, and it’s easy to connect to the city’s transport network, including the BTS Skytrain and the Ratchaprarop Airport Rail Link.
Centra By Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon is located near Khaosan Road in the backpacker district, known for its street food and for being a hub for travel and tours. Opened in October 2022, it has 180 rooms and suites spread across two low-rise buildings built around an inner courtyard. It’s also close to the Chao Phraya express boat piers Phra Arthit and Maharaj, walking distance to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Museum and Pak Khong Talat flower market.
Images: Bunk beds in a Premium Family Residence at Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok, The pool at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, Red Sky Bar on the 56th floor of the Centara Grand at CentralWorld
"As a general rule, if you see Thai people eating there it’s probably good, and err towards busy vendors where meals are cooked fresh"
Where to eat in Bangkok
Street food is the name of the game in Bangkok, with countless stalls selling local dishes. Think noodles, chicken or pork skewers, fried rice, and papaya salad. As a general rule, if you see Thai people eating there it’s probably good, and err towards busy vendors where meals are cooked fresh. Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road (also known as Paradise Street) is a great place to start, especially if you like barbecued seafood, while Thipsamai restaurant in Rattanakosin (Bangkok Old City) is known for its authentic Pad Thai.
French bakery Café Tartine is great for kids, providing high chairs, colouring pencils and paper and showing cartoons on TV on the weekends. It also has a terrace where children can run around, and a kids’ menu. Sook Siam in the IconSiam shopping centre is a great place to try dishes from throughout Thailand in a colourful space inspired by regional Thai bazaars. Kids will also love painting their own cake at Fun Café, while you can also appease them with a break from Asian food with nachos and tacos at Charley Brown’s Mexicana. There’s also a Unicorn Café, which is swarming with the mythical creatures and offering colourful cupcakes, macarons and more.
“There’s also a Unicorn Café, which is swarming with the mythical creatures and offering colourful cupcakes, macarons and more”
Images: Thipsamai restaurant in Bangkok Old City, Unicorn Cafe in Bangkok
