Thailand With a Baby: 16 Tips & Practical Advice for Family Travel

Travelling to Thailand with a baby

If you have a small baby and are thinking about travelling to Thailand, you’re far from alone.

Thailand is one of the world’s most popular countries to visit (with or without a baby!) and if you have maternity leave, some extra holiday time or the chance to spend a longer period away from home, it’s a wonderful choice.

Whether you’ve been to Thailand many times before or it’s your first trip to Southeast Asia, you can look forward to a lovely holiday.

Beautiful beaches, delicious food and warm, welcoming people. The perfect combination.

We travelled to Thailand ourselves in mid-January with our 5-month-old baby, Adrian.

We spent two months on Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, then another two months in Bali, before returning to Thailand to visit Chiang Mai, Koh Samet and Bangkok.

In this guide to travelling to Thailand with a baby, we’ve gathered tips and reflections to help you plan your own trip to the Land of Smiles.

Is Thailand a good holiday destination with a baby?

Are there easier destinations to visit with a small baby? Probably, yes.

The flight is long (depending on where you come from, of course), and the weather can get a bit too hot at times…

But can you still go to Thailand? Absolutely!

A holiday is just as much about the parents having a good time.

Your baby might not remember a thing about the trip, but they’ll definitely sense if you’re relaxed and happy – and that makes all the difference.

It’s such a treat not having to think about cooking, cleaning or laundry for a while.

And the best part?

Thai people adore children, so you’ll feel genuinely welcome wherever you go.

Is Thailand safe to travel to with a baby?

The short answer is yes – Thailand is a safe country to visit with babies and children.

Thai culture is very family-oriented, and that warmth extends to travellers too.

Of course, it’s always wise to stay aware and use common sense, but most families find Thailand a very comfortable and welcoming place for a holiday.

The main things to be careful about are:

• Traffic: It can be chaotic, and scooters often weave in and out unpredictably.
• The sun: The UV index is high, so keep your baby well protected from the heat and sunlight.
• Mosquitoes: Some areas carry a risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Avoid dense vegetation, keep indoors around dusk, and dress your baby in light, skin-covering clothing.

Which island or city should you choose with a baby?

There are a few things worth thinking about when deciding where to go in Thailand with a baby.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How long are you comfortable travelling in total?
• Do you want somewhere you can easily get around on foot?
• Is it important to have a hospital or clinic nearby?
• Are you after an authentic Thai atmosphere, or do you prefer resorts with pools?
• How close do you want to be to large supermarkets and other conveniences?

Below, we’ve shared a few thoughts on some of the most popular areas to visit in Thailand with a baby.

Overall, Thailand is a very baby-friendly country. It just comes down to doing a bit of research and planning ahead.

Bangkok

Bangkok can be great fun for a few days at the start or end of your trip, but you probably won’t want to spend your whole holiday in such a busy city.

From here, you can easily head to mainland cities or beaches like Hua Hin or Pattaya.

We spent the final four days of our trip in Bangkok, after a week on Koh Samet, which is a lovely little island that’s also fairly close to the capital.

Phuket

Phuket is a very touristy island (for better or worse), but if you skip the big resort area of Patong, you can have a lovely holiday at one of the other beaches.

We spent the first 18 days of our trip to Thailand with our baby on the island, and in our Phuket travel guide, we’ve shared everything you need to know for a great stay.

Koh Samui

As Thailand’s second-largest island, there’s not much you can’t do on Koh Samui.

We’ve stayed here several times (including a few weeks with Adrian), and although the really touristy parts aren’t the most charming, you’re never far from somewhere quieter.

There are large supermarkets, several hospitals, an airport and a wide range of places to stay.

Koh Phangan

We spent three weeks on Koh Phangan with Adrian, and we completely fell for the laid-back vibe in the hippie town of Sri Thanu on the west coast – full of vegan cafés, yoga spots and digital nomads. And the beaches are absolutely beautiful.

The rest of Koh Phangan is also very baby-friendly; just keep in mind that there are slightly fewer facilities than on nearby Koh Samui.

Southern Thailand

From Bangkok, there are plenty of flights to places like Krabi and Trang in the south, both great starting points for visiting some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches and islands.

We haven’t made it to Ao Nang or Railay Beach (yet!), but they look stunning.

We have, however, spent quite a bit of time on Koh Lanta, which is wonderfully relaxed and very child-friendly.

If you have a bit more time and fancy something extra beyond Koh Lanta, you could combine it with a visit to the small, peaceful island of Koh Lipe.

It does involve a bit more travelling, but both islands have a cosier feel than somewhere like Phuket, and Koh Lanta even has a large hospital, which adds a bit of peace of mind when travelling with a baby.

Weather in Thailand

When planning a trip to Thailand with a baby, it’s worth thinking about the weather.

The country has different seasons, and it would be a shame if it rained for most of your holiday because you ended up in the “wrong” part of Thailand at the wrong time.

Check out our full guide to when to travel to Thailand, which explains the seasonal differences across the country.

16 tips for travelling to Thailand with a baby

Below, we’ve shared our best advice on what to think about before and during a trip to Thailand with a baby.

1. The flight

Whether you fly direct or have a stopover on the way to Thailand, it’s usually a long journey.

We had a long overnight flight ourselves, which worked out well because the baby slept most of the time. How much sleep we got is another story…

On many airlines, you can reserve the front seats with extra legroom and a wall.

These seats allow you to attach a baby bed, or “bassinet”, which usually fits babies weighing up to around 11 kilos.

The bassinet can only be used on seats with extra legroom, so on some airlines you need to pay to select them; on others, it’s free.

If you don’t book in advance, you might get lucky at check-in and secure a bassinet anyway, but there’s always the risk they’re already taken.

We paid for the extra legroom in advance, which guaranteed a bassinet on our roughly nine-hour flight from Istanbul to Phuket.

It was absolutely worth it for us. Being able to put Adrian to sleep gave us free hands and even allowed us to grab a little nap ourselves.

2. Sun and heat

Thailand is warm all year round, which is lovely – especially compared with winter back in Denmark.

At the same time, the heat and humidity can be a lot for a small baby.

It’s great having them in just a nappy for plenty of skin-to-skin, but things can get sweaty very quickly.

The sun is strong, and most babies shouldn’t be exposed to it at all. That can make being outside during the day a bit tricky when the UV index is high.

Cover your baby with a sun hat, light long clothing or a thin blanket.

When temperatures reach 30°C (~ 86°F) or more, it can get very hot very fast.

Take regular breaks in the shade or indoors with air conditioning so neither you nor your baby overheats.

And don’t forget to offer frequent breastfeeds or bottles of water to keep your little one hydrated.

It’s definitely possible to enjoy the beautiful weather, but it’s worth thinking in advance about whether you’re prepared to stay mindful of the heat throughout the day.

3. Breathable clothing

If your baby won’t just be lying around in a nappy, it’s a good idea to choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.

Try to avoid synthetic materials, which can trap heat and make your little one uncomfortable.

4. Type of accommodation

When your baby is sleeping, it can be really handy to have an extra room or a terrace to relax on.

Having more than one room meant we could put our son to bed in a dark bedroom while still keeping the lights on in another room to carry on with our own activities.

We stayed in a mix of hotel rooms with kitchens, studio apartments, and villas with multiple rooms.

In a few places, we had only a single room, and it was fine as long as we were quiet at night, but it was definitely nicer to stay somewhere we could close the door on the sleeping baby.

Think about whether you’d like a full kitchen or a small kitchenette for preparing meals, breakfast or baby food.

Most standard hotel rooms in Thailand have a small fridge.

We found it convenient to cook for ourselves sometimes (or order takeout) so we didn’t have to go out with Adrian for every meal.

A sofa or other soft surface was handy for laying the baby down or for us to sit on while he slept in bed at night.

Tip: Bring a baby monitor if there’s a lot of space between rooms, fully closed doors, or if you plan to sit outdoors while your baby sleeps.

5. Baby bed and high chair

Many hotels let you borrow a baby bed, either free or for a small fee.

You can usually select this option when booking, but it’s a good idea to double-check that they actually have one suitable for your baby’s age.

If you’re co-sleeping, it can also be worth looking for a place with an extra-wide bed.

High chairs are often available to borrow, too, which is handy if you plan to feed your baby in the hotel room/villa/cabin.

6. Air conditioning

It’s definitely worth paying a bit extra for a room or villa with air conditioning when travelling with a baby.

It makes it much easier to keep the temperature comfortable when you’re indoors.

Just be careful not to make it too cold – especially at night.

A chilly room can easily lead to a cold, and that’s not exactly how you want to spend your holiday.

We usually kept the air conditioning set fairly high and made sure the airflow was directed towards the ceiling or into the room, not straight at us.

7. Pool or beach

When we looked for hotels from home, we prioritised places with both a pool and easy access to the beach.

In the end, we mostly used the beach for afternoon or evening walks, or for a quick dip ourselves when Adrian was napping.

Even though we had a beach tent for shade, it just felt easier to be by the pool with a baby.

No waves, no salt water, no sand – and that made all the difference.

Sand gets everywhere, especially between those tiny baby fingers and toes!

Of course, it depends on your baby and where you stay. A calm beach might work perfectly for some.

But for us, having a pool at every stop was a huge win. Adrian loved splashing in the water, and it was such a lovely part of our days.

8. Baby carrier or wrap

We (and our son) absolutely love our baby carrier, and it’s brilliant for travelling.

Your hands are free, your baby sits snug and secure against your chest, and they can fall asleep whenever they like.

In Thailand, it’s especially practical since pavements can be uneven or sometimes non-existent.

The only downside? You’ll definitely work up a sweat on your stomach!

9. What about a stroller?

Whether or not to bring a stroller really depends on your own needs (and your baby’s).

Some manage perfectly well without one, while others wouldn’t dream of travelling without it.

As mentioned earlier, pavements in Thailand aren’t always the best, and in some places, they don’t exist at all.

On the smaller islands, roads are often sandy, but in the cities and on larger islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, there are pavements in many areas.

On Koh Phangan, we could use our stroller in quite a few spots too.

We often saw people pushing strollers along the roadside instead of on the pavements, simply because it was less of a hassle than lifting it up and down all the time – so that’s always an option.

A stroller can be really useful for naps at restaurants or when your baby is tired after a day out.

Our stroller

We travelled with a Joolz Aer+ (plus a mosquito net and rain cover) during our 4.5-month trip to Thailand and Bali.

It’s honestly one of the best travel strollers out there.

The stroller is super quick to fold and unfold, feels solid, weighs only about 6.5 kilos (~ 14 pounds), fits as hand luggage and reclines almost completely flat.

Since Adrian couldn’t sit up on his own at the start of our trip (he was 5 months old then), this feature was excellent.

For most of the trip, we carried him in a baby carrier, as it was the easiest way for us to get around – so we might have managed without the stroller.

As he got a little older, he enjoyed sitting in it more, and it was lovely to be able to roll him to a café or restaurant when the pavements or roads allowed. We also found it really handy at airports.

All in all, we were happy to have it with us, but if your baby is still small or you’re not travelling for that long, it can definitely be freeing to leave the stroller at home.

10. Diapers and wet wipes

We brought a few diapers with us at the start, and once we ran out, we picked up more at the larger supermarkets on the islands we visited.

There was plenty to choose from, and luckily, we found some “hypoallergenic” options without perfume – it isn’t always easy, as scented products are very common in Thailand.

In the bigger supermarkets, we also found organic, fragrance-free wet wipes from MamyPoko.

In convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Tops Daily, you’ll mostly find small packs of diapers.

These are handy in a pinch, but if you’re away for a longer stay, it’s worth stopping by a larger supermarket such as Tesco Lotus or Big C.

11. Breastfeeding in public

On our trip to Thailand, we breastfed in a variety of public places and restaurants, and never once received any negative comments.

We were discreet, and we couldn’t say how it would feel to sit with completely bare breasts, as Thailand is somewhat conservative in terms of local dress codes. Still, it felt quite comfortable.

At temples and other holy sites, shoulders and knees generally need to be covered.

Here, we made sure to find a more secluded spot whenever we needed to breastfeed on the go.

12. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are everywhere in Thailand, so it’s worth taking precautions.

Dress your baby in long sleeves and trousers at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

Some say light or white clothing helps, though we can’t say for sure if that really makes a difference.

You can also stay indoors during peak mosquito hours, which is what we mostly did.

We may have missed a few beautiful sunsets, but we avoided getting bitten.

Finally, you could consider using a mosquito repellent that’s safe for babies. We didn’t use any ourselves, as we prefer to steer clear of harsher chemicals.

13. Bring a small pharmacy

If your child suddenly falls ill, it’s nice not to have to rush out and find a pharmacy, worry about opening hours, whether the staff speak English, or which products are available.

Of course, pharmacies are widely available, but it can feel reassuring to have a small kit with you, just in case.

We travelled with liquid baby paracetamol, disposable pipettes with sterile saline (saline drops), a thermometer, a nasal aspirator and some plasters.

We also packed a zinc ointment for nappy rash and a baby-friendly factor 50 sunscreen.

14. Remember travel insurance

It goes without saying, but it’s worth double-checking what your travel insurance actually covers.

Make sure your child is included in the policy, and that it specifically covers travel in Thailand.

15. Avoid planning too much

When travelling with a baby, it’s a good idea not to have a long list of attractions to tick off.

Babies are unpredictable, their moods can change in an instant, and their energy can run out sooner than you expect. And this goes for parents, too!

Feeding, diaper changes, and naps can all vary from day to day, and routines can easily shift.

One of our most important tips for enjoying maternity leave in Thailand is to keep things flexible and slow the pace.

Leave plenty of room for the trip to unfold on your baby’s terms.

16. Thais love children

It’s amazing how much attention you get from both men and women when travelling with a baby.

Thai people genuinely love children and often want to interact, play, and have fun with them.

At several restaurants and cafés, staff even wanted to hold our little one, walk him around, and play with him.

It felt very safe, he loved the attention, and we could both enjoy our meal at the same time without a baby on our lap. A total win-win!

Have a great trip!

We hope our guide to travelling to Thailand with a baby has given you some inspiration.

Hopefully, a few of our tips and pieces of advice will be useful for your own maternity leave.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

And if you have your own tips or advice to share, we’d love to hear them!