Bangkok with kids: the best areas to stay and play
Bangkok with kids works best when you pick a base and keep journeys short. The heat, the traffic and the pavements wear children down faster than the sights do, so the trick is to choose an area with air-conditioned things to do within a few minutes of each other and a park for the cooler hours. Here are the areas that work, what is in each, and how to move between them.
Siam: the indoor day
Siam is the safest bet for a family base. Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World in the basement of Siam Paragon has a walk-through shark tunnel, penguins and a glass-bottom boat. Madame Tussauds is across the road in Siam Discovery, the BACC art centre at National Stadium has free exhibitions and space to run, and the malls are linked by the skywalk so nobody has to cross a road. The hotel pools here are good and the BTS is on the doorstep. See the Siam guide.
Chatuchak: the museum and the parks
North of the weekend market, the Children's Discovery Museum in Queen Sirikit Park is a free, hands-on science museum with a dinosaur dig, water play and a splash area, built for under-tens. The park around it has a playground and a butterfly garden, and the adjoining Rot Fai Park has bikes for hire with child seats and a flat cycle track. Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT. The Chatuchak guide has the rest.
Ekkamai: planetarium and science centre
The Bangkok Planetarium and the Science Centre for Education next to Ekkamai BTS are old-fashioned, inexpensive and good for a rainy afternoon: planetarium shows, a small aquarium and galleries of push-button exhibits. Gateway Ekkamai mall across the road has an indoor playground chain, and the sois of Ekkamai and Thonglor have the city's best family cafes and bakeries. See the Ekkamai guide.
Sukhumvit: parks and playgrounds
Benjasiri Park at Phrom Phong has a playground, a skate park and a shaded lake, and Benjakitti forest park has boardwalks, fish to spot and a long elevated walkway that doubles as a stroller route. The malls at Phrom Phong have play areas and food courts that solve the lunch problem. The Phrom Phong guide covers the strip.
The river
For older children, the river is the best day out in the city. The Chao Phraya express boat from Sathorn pier is a ride in itself, Wat Arun has steep steps to climb, Museum Siam near Tha Tien is a modern, interactive museum of Thai history, and Asiatique at the end of the day has a Ferris wheel and open-air dinner. Follow the river guide for piers.
Bang Krachao
A cycling day on Bang Krachao is the green escape: flat lanes, a park with a lake and a weekend market with snacks. The lanes are raised and narrow, so it suits confident riders from about eight up, or small children in a seat. Bikes are hired at the pier. The Bang Krachao guide has the details.
Further out
Safari World in Min Buri (a drive-through animal park with shows), Dream World in Pathum Thani and Siam Amazing Park in Min Buri (a water park and rides) are each a long taxi ride from the centre. They fill a full day and are best booked as a car-and-driver trip.
Getting there
- Siam: Siam BTS; National Stadium BTS for BACC.
- Children's Discovery Museum: Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT.
- Planetarium: Ekkamai BTS.
- Benjasiri: Phrom Phong BTS; Benjakitti: Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT.
- River: Saphan Taksin BTS to Sathorn pier.
- Bang Krachao: ferry from Khlong Toei pier.
Taxis rarely have child seats, so book a car with one if it matters. Carry water, go out early, and plan a pool hour in the middle of every day.