Reasons Why You Should Visit Thailand (and Why You’ll Love It!)

by BKKFamilies
Activities, Local Attractions, Special Events

From our recent poll at Bangkok Expat Families fb page, we learned that there are a A LOT of reasons to love Thailand. If you’re looking for the best places to visit (or maybe, live!), good food, and lovely people, one country you should not miss out on is Thailand.  Thailand is also known as the “land of the free” since they are known as the only Southeast Asian country not colonized by a foreign power. There are a lot of things to do and visit!

Here’s what to expect when you go there:

What You’ll See

Thailand is comprised of a variety of amazing places to visit. You may choose from temples, beaches, lagoons, forests, and even wildlife parks. You can also check out their floating markets and city life. From our recent Bangkok Expat Families’ poll, here are some of the top attractions in Thailand you may go to when you visit:

  • Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Similan Islands
  • Pak Khlong Talat
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Simon Cabaret Show
  • Maya Bay
  • Ko Phi Phi Le
  • Phang Nga Bay
  • Khao Phing Kan
  • Grand Palace Bangkok
  • Railay Beach
  • Coral Island, Phuket
  • Monkey Beach
  • Pileh Lagoon
  • Big Buddha Phuket
  • Chao Phraya River
  • Safari World
  • Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

What You’ll Feel

Thailand’s Tropical Climate

Thailand’s tropical climate has three seasons, with changes brought about by monsoons. From March to mid-May, Thailand experiences the hot season, and it’s really hot (and humid)! Southwest monsoon comes from mid-May to October, making these rainy months. November to February, the northwest monsoon brings a cool and dry season. The coasts and the south part of the country still experience hot weather during winter. 

Fun-loving nature of Thai People

Thailand isn’t called “The Land of Smiles” for no reason! Though the Thai smile can mean many different things, it does help to make things more comfortable on the surface. You’ll always feel at ease because you’ll see everyone wearing a smile. They are also helpful and accommodating, from asking for directions to different recommendations. You can also feel their genuineness and hospitality during your stay. In Thai, as they would say, mai pen rai (don’t worry about it)! You’re in good hands. 

You will also enjoy their taxis that can bring you to different places. You’ll see them everywhere you go, just when you need a lift!

What You’ll Taste

Thailand is rich in flavorful dishes and tropical fruits. If your palate is looking for something exceptional, tropical, and Asian, Thailand is one of the right places to go. The combination of sweet, spicy, sour and salty is one that can’t be beat!

Amazing Dishes

Thailand is famous for its traditional dishes. Though a lot of people associate Thai food with the world-famous Pad Thai, Thai cuisine offers you a really wide variety of options and flavors. You can check out the top recommended dishes below:

  • Spicy Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong)
  • Spicy Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum) 
  • Chicken in Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Kai) 
  • Red Curry (Gaeng Daeng) 
  • Thai style Fried Noodles (Pad Thai)
  • Fried Basil and Pork (Pad Krapow Moo Saap)
  • Fried Rice (Khao Pad)

Bountiful Tropical Fruits

You may have heard of durian and mangosteen, the king and queen of fruits in Thailand. Aside from those two, Thailand is also home to many exotic fruits you may love. You should never miss a chance to try and taste them! You can try these tropical fruits (with their Thai names in parenthesis):

  • Jackfruit (kanoon)
  • Lychee (linjee)
  • Mangosteen (mong-kut)
  • Durian (toorian)
  • Rambutan (ngaw)
  • Longan (lumyai)
  • Dragonfruit/Pitaya (gaeow mung-gon)
  • Guava (faraang)
  • Pomelo (som-o)

Similarly,  here are some of the more exotic fruits that find Thailand as their home:

  • Rose Apple (shom-poo)
  • Custard Apple (noi na)
  • Langsat (longong)
  • Snake Fruit (salak)
  • Sapodilla (la moot)
  • Coconut (ma prow)
  • Passion Fruit (sawa-rod)
  • Rambai (ma fai)

These are only some of the few dishes and fruits that will welcome you to Thailand. I am very sure there’s more to look forward to!

What You’ll Experience   

Aside from good food and lovely people, there’s more to experience in Thailand. Don’t miss the opportunity to try their fun festivals and relaxing massages!

Festivals

If you visit Thailand, you’ll quickly learn that they have a lot of famous and fun festivals. Thailand is a culture-rich country, and their festivals show many of them. Most of their festivals are based on Buddhism and the lunar calendar, but Thais are happy to embrace festivals from other countries as long as fun and food are involved! Below is a summary of some of their rich festivals:

  • Songkran (The Water Festival) – April 13 to 15
  • Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights) – the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, usually in November, and the exact date varies from year to year.
  • Yi Peng Festival – celebrated on the same day, somehow similar to Loy Krathong.
  • Magha Puja (Buddhist Festival, which honors the third lunar month) is celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month.
  • Visakha Bucha (Buddha’s Birthday)- mainly falls in May or June (usually based on the lunar calendar)
  • Royal Plowing Ceremony – beginning of the rice-growing season, typically falls in April or May (also based on the lunar calendar)
  • Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival – held on the full moon in May,
  • Phuket Vegetarian Festival- the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar and runs for nine days; 
  • Lopburi Monkey Banquet – to honor macaque monkeys that are believed to bring the locals good luck, usually held last Sunday of November
  • Chinese New Year or Spring Festival – based on the Chinese lunar calendar, but it generally falls in January or February

Massages

If you’re looking for something relaxing to do after your day tours, Thailand offers locals and tourists their very well-known “Thai Massage.” 

One of the most famous places for a Thai Massage in Bangkok is Wat Pho –  the Temple of the Reclining Buddha on the Rattanakosin Island in the older part of the city. This place is also considered to be a very traditional massage and medical school in Thailand.

I am sure that you will deserve a Thai massage after a very long day. At the end, you might want to say, “Sabai Sabai!” (I feel chilled and relaxed).

Why You’ll Love Thailand

Mentioned above are only some of the reasons you should visit Thailand, or even live there! They are just sneak peeks, and first-hand experiences are always the best. Some people might say, “there is no place like home,” but after visiting Thailand, I know you’ll get yourself thinking, “Why not Thailand?”  

See you there! 

Top 5 Museums for Kids in Bangkok

by BKKFamilies
Activities, Local Attractions

As the half-term break gets nearer and kids are getting excited to spend their breaks well, it is high time for parents to plan for their getaways to create more worthwhile memories. Get ready to learn, have fun, and appreciate science, culture, and art by visiting 5 of the best museums for kids located in Bangkok, the heart of Thailand. 

Children’s Discovery Museum

Located in Chatuchak District, the home of some of the biggest weekend markets in the world, is the Children’s Discovery Museum.  

Kids and adults alike are about to be amazed and learn all thanks to the different interactive and educational exhibitions present in the Children’s Discovery Museum. The museum houses two buildings: 

  • The Thor Tawan Building will tickle the fancy of your creative kids with exhibitions and activities in the Creative Space, Creative Science, Junior Thai Kitchen, Build Our City attractions, and much more. 
  • The Rainbow Building will let your kids enjoy the beauty of nature with attractions such as the Nature Playground and Big Backyard. 

Moreover, for your adventure-seeking kids, the Outdoor Activity Zone houses the following:

  • Water Play which has water jets, rain showers, and fountains;  and 
  • Jungle Adventure which has a multi-level climbing frame, and obstacle courses such as a suspension bridge, nets, and more. 

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Admission Fee: Free

Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC)

Want to introduce your kids to the art scene? Well BACC should be part of your travel itinerary. BACC is an architectural landscape having 9 floors in total, with the first 6 floors offering a variety of retail options from local artists and more. 

The main gallery, located on the 7th- 9th floors, spans a whopping 3500sqm and it houses wonderful artworks from both the local and international art scene. The center will provide you with a well-rounded experience since they are offering programs encompassing all areas of art (art, music, theatre, film, and design) as well as a deep appreciation of Thai culture through various events. 

Operating hours: Tuesday- Sunday from 10:00 am- 9:00 pm

Admission Fee: Free, exhibitions additional

Madame Tussauds Bangkok

Get ready to meet your favorite stars and well-known figures up close and personal right here in Bangkok. Madame Tussauds is one of the most well-known wax museum in the world. 

You have struck your best pose and winning smile next to your favorite Hollywood A-list stars including Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Will Smith as well as Asian stars, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh. 

Caught the singing bug? take selfies with some of the world’s well-known performers such as Beyonce, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.

This wax museum is not only about celebrities. Get to see and learn more about some of the world’s influential people in sports and politics. Let your imagination run wild and unleash the star in you.

Operating hours:  Monday- Sunday from 10:00 am- 8:00 pm (last entry at 7 pm)

Admission Fee: 

  • Adult (12 years and above)- 590 Baht
  • Child (3- 11 years)- 490 Baht

Science Centre for Education and Bangkok Planetarium

The Science Centre for Education has been present for 30 years now, with 4 main buildings making up the center. The buildings are as follows: the Planetarium, the Natural Science building, Science Museum, and Aquatic Life Building. 

The Planetarium, the Centre’s well-known attraction, was first opened in the 1960s and underwent refurbishment. In 2016, the new and improved Planetarium was made open to the public. The Planetarium houses theaters where children will enjoy stargazing thanks to the high definition 360-degree visuals and 5.1 surround sound. 

Other facilities include technology-oriented attractions such as interactive displays and robot technology rooms; natural world attractions like life-like dinosaurs and the world of insects; and also close to real-life attractions like a pirate ship and play supermarket.

Operating hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am -3 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am -4 pm.

Admission Fee: 

  • Thai subtitle
    • Adults- 30 baht
    • Children- 20 baht
  • English subtitle
    • Adults- 50 baht
    • Children- 30 baht

Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

Also located in the Chatuchak district, the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium are composed of a vast 2,038 square meter complex exhibiting all things butterflies and insects plus a lush walking path where you get to see over 30 different plants and butterflies species depending on the season. Get to appreciate nature and learn more about “nature’s angels”  by visiting Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Operating hours: Tuesday- Sunday from 8:30- 4:30 pm

Admission Fee:  Free

Mega Cineplex Kid Friendly Movie Theater!

by BKKFamilies
Local Attractions
Mega Cineplex Kid
Every kid’s dream?

The Mega Cineplex kid friendly movie theater is awesome for both parents and kids alike. The environment is safe and fun, and the best part is that you don’t have to worry about your kids making noise in the movie theater!

Mega Cineplex for Families

If your kids are anything like mine, having them sit through 90+ minutes of a movie without making noise, kicking seats in front of them, or spilling food / drink on the floor is as close to a miracle as one could get. At the Mega Cineplex kid friendly movie theater, kids making messes and noise is to be expected! Sounds too good to be true? Check it out for yourself!

There’s an awesome ball pit in the front. It doesn’t block the screen, but it’s well positioned so that you can keep your eyes on your kids while watching the movie. Of course it’s very safe, and there’s no sharp edges or places where they could bang their heads. Kids always find a way to get hurt though, don’t they? Rest assured that it’s up to international standards of safety.

The slide is pretty awesome as well. Located just off to the side of the theater, it’s nothing too crazy, and is suitable for the really young ones as well. There are all the wonderful restaurants that Mega Bangna has to offer, and of course…IKEA (the place you can love and hate at the same time). You can make a full day out of what Mega Bangna has to offer for families. From bowling to ice skating, international foods to dessert cafes, everyone will find something that they enjoy.

Anyway, if you have kids and you want to see a movie without being on guard the entire time, bring them to the Mega Cineplex kid friendly theater. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!