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In Asia with kids

Family Travel Thailand- Does Your Kids Like Fairytales, Too?

January 30, 2019 No Comments

Fairytale -themed activities in Thailand

South East Asia has a reputation for embracing all things kitsch and comic-book colorful as well as floaty and fairytale-esque, and Thailand is no exception. Kids (and grown ups, for that matter) with a love of unicorns and a taste for all things bubblegum-bright may already have heard of Bangkok’s Unicorn Cafe, and it’s just the tip of a colorful iceberg. Families in Bangkok can embark on magical, memory-making adventures filled with fairytale temples, princess tea parties and frolicking unicorns….and if your tribe’s tastes run more towards bad fairies and hobgoblins, don’t worry, Thailand has you covered there too. With a bit of story-spinning, you can sneak a bit of sightseeing in among the Unicorn-spotting…

See a Real-Life Fairy Palace

Whimsical and ethereal, the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand, looks like a frozen palace from a fairytale. Still unfinished, the vast, snowflake-white temple has been a work in progress since 1997, and kids who love fairytales and princess stories won’t need much convincing to visit here. The photo opportunities are almost unlimited, and fanciful families in Thailand can let their imaginations run riot amid the beautiful, intricately-carved buildings and manicured gardens.

Visit a Magical Jewelry Store

The White Palace can be visited as a side trip from Chiang Mai, and fairytale-loving families in the Thai city should treat themselves to a visit to Fairytales Jewelry and Accessories. This sweetly-decorated store offers handmade jewelry and trinkets fashioned after fairy princesses and magical woodland creatures, which will appeal to grownups as well as little ones.

Families in Chiang Rai will find accommodation options in all price brackets, but those who want to extend the fairytale theme might want to consider booking a family room at the Pingnakorn Huaykaey Hotel (rooms from around 5000 baht). Here the rooms, dining spaces and gardens are all fairytale-fabulous, with antiques, glittering chandeliers and peacock murals. Added bonuses for families with kids are a lovely outdoor pool and great gardens.

See Thousands of Fluttering ‘Fairies’

Butterflies are about as close to fairies as the natural world gets, and families in Thailand between May and September can have a magical encounter with some 400 different types of the fluttering beauties at Pang Sida National Park, in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo. Over some 6000 square kilometers, the gorgeous natural park has famous waterfalls and bird-filled jungle, making visitors’ encounters with the butterflies all the more magical. There’s camping close the entrance, as well as little, straw-roofed chalets that look for all the world like magical woodland dwellings. A good, reasonably-priced option is Mulberry Pang Sida (chalets from 600 baht) has lovely gardens, floaty mosquito nets and a good breakfast, within easy reach of the park.

Tip: Thailand has a rich tradition of folk tales, usually with a moral message to instill good behaviour in children. To nurture an interest in local culture, it can be fun to read Thai fairy tales to your children as you travel the country. You might find them at English language bookstores in Thailand, or buy this one online before you travel

Bangkok

It’s home to the famous Unicorn Cafe, and it’s fair to say that a visit to this sugary-sweet cafe is pretty much mandatory. Bubble gum pink and baby blue colour schemes set the tone for a visit here, where even the spaghetti is rainbow-hued, and visitors can step into furry unicorn onesies for their dining experience. There are chandeliers and ornate furnishings fit for any princess, and fluffy toy unicorns everywhere you look. Predictably, the menu is dominated by swirly, brightly colored ice creams and cakes, but there are always unicorn-horned burgers (and that rainbow spaghetti) should you want to tone down the sugar rushing.

Dream World Theme Park

There are many theme parks in Thailand, but Bangkok’s Dream World will have the most appeal to little princes and princesses. From the turreted entrance to a fairytale castle and rides and gardens themed around fairy tales, this is one theme park that will really get kids’ imaginations racing.

Eat (and shop) like a Mermaid…

Giving the Unicorns a run for their money in the mythical beast stakes, the Mermaid Castle Cafe in Siam Square offers diners a chance to don a mermaid tale and apply super-bright mermaid makeup before settling down to super-bright cupcakes and milkshakes, amid a sea of mermaid-themed design details. And the bubble-gum pink fun doesn’t stop there, the cafe is just one corner of a multi-floor building that also features mermaid-themed stores selling toys, jewelry, clothes and accessories, all with the same magical mermaid theme.

…Or Drink Like an Iron Fairy

Grown ups looking for a bit of magic without the sugary-sweetness will find it at the cool Iron Fairies Bar on Thong Lor, which feels like entering a spooky fairytale. Every corner of this imaginative space is filled with curiosities such as bottles of ‘fairy dust’, and the strong cocktails will soon have you flying. A menu of steaks, burgers and other grounding meals will stop you spinning off into the ether.

TIP: If your tribe’s taste are a little more black magic than sugary sweet, try Mocking Tales – a cafe-bar themed around a dark fairy tale, which has an array of spell-binding cocktails as well as a famous ‘Smoking Mountain’ dessert which sees a burning chocolate mountain melt away to reveal a mound of delicious ice cream. Alternatively, diners can dress up in witches’ costumes to celebrate Halloween all year round at Kaethy the Witch tearoom in Lat Phrao, where the trick-and-treat theme includes eyeballs floating in your drink, spider cupcakes and all manner of ghoulish goings on.

Escape to a Hidden Fairytale Palace

The bustle of Bangkok can be overwhelming, but a stay at Phranakorn-Nornlen Hotel (family rooms from 4000 baht) in Dusit will soon revive flagging spirits. A quick boat ride from downtown, it’s a cute and quirky fairytale of a hotel set in leafy green gardens, with a brightly-coloured decor that looks like Toytown meets Fairyland. Staff treat little ones like little princes and princesses, and there are all manner of crafty activities laid on to keep boredom at bay while parents unwind a little. Magic.

In Asia with kids

Thailand With Kids- Awesome Activities For Comics Loving Families

January 27, 2019 No Comments

No matter your age, if you’ve a taste for all things fun and superhero-themed, Thailand will be right up your futuristic street.

Colorful, characterful and often chaotic, Thailand is a place where visitors can let their imaginations run wild and indulge a hankering for some superhero-style adventures. This is a nation famed for its affection for comic books and collectibles, and grown up geeks join kids in spending entire days browsing the toy stores of downtown Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It’s a country that isn’t afraid to embrace the fun, fantastical side of life, and the 2018 opening of a Marvel Theme Park in Bangkok has sealed Thailand’s reputation as a killer destination for fans of superhero thrills and spills. Here are some unmissable highlights:

See Superheroes Guarding Temples…

In a bid to boost visitor numbers, Buddhist monks at a number of Thailand’s ornate temples have commissioned enormous replica superheroes to stand guard at their gates. The statues have no religious significance, according to their creators, but rather are designed to keep kids from complaining while their parents appreciate the more sedate charms of the temple itself. One of the first temples to hit upon the idea was the Wat Tamru temple in the central region of Samut Prakan, where a giant green Hulk and other superheroes sprang up in 2016. Since then, a number of other temples have followed the trend, including Wat Ta Kien, just outside Bangkok, which is watched over by three towering Transformers.

…And Admire a Marvel-ous Mural

At the magnificent, and as yet unfinished, White Temple in Chiang Rai province, Northern Thailand, Neo from the Matrix and King Fu Panda join Batman and a whole host of other Marvel heroes on a giant mural inside the intricately-crafted Ubosot, or main temple. It’s an unexpected sight among all the serene images of the Buddha and the artful carvings, but playing ‘spot the superhero’ is a sure-fire way to keep kids entertained on a visit to this eye-boggling temple.

Tip: Adults might want to keep an eye out for depictions of the fall of the Twin Towers, as well as other major real world events, which have caused controversy among some Western visitors.

Within easy strolling distance of the temple, the Heun Baan Rong Khun Resort has very affordable rooms (from 600 baht) in a cozy, family-run spot with bikes for hire and gardens for kids to play in.

Eat Superhero Ice Cream in Chiang Mai

Ice cream is almost always a winner, and when an ice cream cafe comes with a hella vegan options and a superhero theme, well, that’s pretty much going to please everyone in the family. At Ice Love You in Chiang Mai, there are Minions on the windows, Spiderman on the walls and a whole lot of other comic book capers going on inside. The handmade ice creams (traditional and vegan) are the stuff of ice cream dreams, and come in a kid-and-adult-pleasing array of colors, flavors and dessert combinations.

Tip: When in Chiang Mai, it’s worth paying a visit to the Blockland Lego Cafe, which opened in 2017 and allows visitors to make everything from model Death Stars to Princess Castles before or after a bite to eat.

If you’re in the market for a little luxury in Chiang Mai, the Shangri La Chiang Mai will make families feel totally pampered, with fancy pools and dining, and extra touches such as kids’ foodie treats every day, a kids’ pool and a good indoor play room.

Bangkok

It’s hosted a gigantic Comic Con event each year since 2018, and the opening of The Marvel Experience Theme Park in 2018 has put Thailand well and truly on the map for fans of comic book capers – for around 850 baht, visitors to this massive interactive multi-dome complex can live out their every superhero-themed dream, with 4D motion rides, a 3D cinema and a chance to see superheroes strolling around, like Disneyland with Marvel characters.

It’s far from the only superhero fun to be had in town, though. In a country renowned for its comic book and collectibles stores, Bangkok is home to some of the biggest and best. Among the many Marvel-themed stores, check out Animate Bangkok on the 7th floor of the MBK Building, for an enormous range of Manga models, magazines and every kind of collectible you could imagine.

There’s also Thailand’s biggest toy museum, BatCat Museum,which will thrill kids and big kids for hours with its gigantic displays of action figures, superhero paraphernalia and collectibles of all vintages.

When hunger strikes, families can refuel amid collectors’ item artworks and comics at Tezuka Shoten & Cafe, billed as Bangkok’s ‘first Manga cafe’. The cute decoration will appeal to all ages, and there’s a dedicated space for browsing and shopping as well as the cakes, ice creams, coffee and waffles that will keep energy levels up to superhero level.

There’s no shortage of family-friendly hotels in Bangkok, but a good mid-range option is Navalai River Resort, which has a lovely rooftop pool with views over the river and city, perfect for resting little legs (and adult-sized legs) after a day’s superhero adventuring. Rooms are great value, starting at $66 (just over 2,000 baht).

Tip: If coming to Bangkok during ComicCon, book in advance, as hotel rooms fill up fast, and prices can soar. Check dates and plan as far ahead as you can.

In Asia with kids

Thailand with Kids: Bangkok’s Lesser-Known Attractions

November 11, 2017 No Comments

Spice up you trip to Bangkok with some of the city’s hidden secrets!

Welcome to Thailand’s City of Angels! Bangkok isn’t necessarily lauded for its myriad of family-friendly activities, but the city boasts some surprisingly awesome experiences for kids. Most traveling families will check out water parks, zoos, safaris, and of course the magnificent shopping malls invading practically every street corner; however, those attractions can get pretty crowded. Here are a few lesser-known activities in Bangkok to avoid the masses and make your family’s trip unique:

Thai Aroma Culture Workshop

The Thai Aroma Culture Workshop blends art, tea, and scented flowers into a relaxing activity meant to teach you about Thai life and serve as a way to preserve your memories from your travels. The workshop host Nune believes that smells brings memories to life, which is why she takes you on a journey of Thai culture by combining various scents. In the workshop, you will create your personalized Thai tea of choice, as well as make your own potpourri and room spray, all of which you will bring home with you. Then, as the sunset spreads itself across the sky, you will sit, sip, look out across the skyline, and reflect on your trip in Bangkok thus far.

This workshop isn’t your everyday vacation activity, nor is it one you’ll come across in many other places. The workshop is a great family bonding activity, and can be found at the “Whole Soul Studio,” which faces the Bangkok Sundown Skyline. It costs about $50 USD per person, depending on the date and time that you book. There’s room for 6 people in the workshop, but you can also go alone and meet new people when you get there. There’s heavy emphasis on reflection here, so make sure to come with an open mind and a desire to open up!

Wachira Benchathat Park

Also known as Railway Park and Suan Rot Fai, this retreat from the busy Bangkok bustle can be found right near Chatuchak Market, but you won’t see tourists stumbling upon this hidden haven. The entrance fee is free, at which point you can decide from many choices of activity: cycling, tennis, paddle-boating, bird watching, golfing and more. If you’re just looking for a place to relax, the park is a spectacular spot for a leisurely stroll. If you happen to have a toddler with you, it’s the perfect place to push a stroller around as you explore! For an educational experience, the Park offers the only insectarium and butterfly garden in Bangkok. From a biking trip around the park to an old-school game of hide-and-seek, the amount of potential family pursuits will keep you busy for awhile.

Secret of Sacred Tattoo

Sacred tattoo, or sak yant (also referred to as yantra), is an ancient tradition originating amongst tribes in parts of China and Vietnam over 2,000 years ago. Artists etch sacred designs combined with lucky Pali (the language of early Buddhism) phrases, the combination of which supposedly offers protection for the person whose body sports the tattoo. This workshop boasts itself as a celebrity favorite, having catered to the likes of Brooke Shields and Steven Pearson, and is one you are unlikely to experience anywhere else. The sak yant ceremony is located in Samnak Arjan Neng on Niran Villa Street in a studio littered with statues of magicians. It includes standard Thai cuisine for lunch, a beverage, and a tuk tuk ride. Your workshop leaders will teach you how sacred designs are created and help you find the symbol appropriate for what you are aiming to achieve in life. Not to worry–you’re not actually going to come out with a tattoo, and neither will your kids! Of course, if you do want one, you can book a separate appointment and get a tattoo for an extra charge.

True Love @ Neverland

An ideal stop for your visit to Bangkok with kids, this café satisfies two of life’s main cravings: the desire for coffee and the overwhelming inclination to play with adorable dogs. While it may sound like something out of a Peter Pan special, True Love @ Neverland is just a regular old café with huskies roaming around everywhere! Try not to faint from happiness as you enter Bangkok’s dog therapy cafe, and get ready for all of your problems to melt away! Before you enter, you’ll receive brief instructions about café decorum: for instance, you can’t touch the dogs’ snouts or pick them up, and you’ll have to sanitize your hands before you walk in–then you can have at it! Play with the huskies to your heart’s content, and stay for a 12:30 PM or 3:30 PM dog show if you’re so inclined. The experience wouldn’t be complete without that requisite cup of coffee. You can choose from various drinks and desserts on the menu, perhaps taking the opportune time to nurse your coffee while your children are occupied by the dogs. The cafe is open in the afternoon, and is located at 153 Paholyothin Soi Ari Samphan 2, in Bangkok. You can get there by taking the BTS to Sanam Pao following with a short taxi ride to Soi 2, Ari.

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