Visiting Krabi with kids

Thai society as a whole is very child-friendly and nowhere is considered off-limits for children. Your child will also, however, not be considered off-limits by anyone: Thai people love to interact with children, especially foreign ones, and you should expect a certain amount of (harmless) attention wherever you travel.

• Particular considerations when travelling with infants

A beach holiday in a destination like Krabi makes for an ideal family holiday and children are generally well catered for here. There is a large selection of family accommodation, particularly in Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi; Ao Nang and Klong Muang have more limited choice. Many families with small children like to stay in Railay or Koh Lanta, where most resorts are situated directly on the sand - in other places such as Ao Nang, there is a busy main road and a lot of traffic to contend with, making it essential to keep an eye on your children at all times.

When booking your resort, you can check if facilities like baby cots and highchairs are available. The vast majority of hotels in Krabi will have a shallow children’s area in their swimming pool, some also have playgrounds, children’s clubs and baby-sitting services (note: these may be informal arrangements, so do check for insurance, first aid availability etc. before you leave your children there).

List of family-friendly hotels in Krabi

Outside of the hotels, the majority of activities available in Krabi are suitable for all but the youngest children: snorkelling; rock climbing; kayaking; island hopping, even scuba diving (usually taught from 10 years and up). All equipment is available in junior sizes, although for small children and toddlers you will need to bring your own inflatable rings and armbands for swimming. Very few companies offer children's life jackets either, so if this is a concern, you will need to bring your own, or purchase here.

Although there is no zoo in Krabi, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about and meet some of the local wildlife. The government "outdoor aquarium" in Ao Nam Mao is an ongoing project to protect endangered marine species. Visitors can see a variety of (harmless) sharks, turtles and, yes, "Nemos" (anemone fish), in tanks and in sectioned salt water pools where they are bred and then released back into the sea.

A local favourite near Ao Nang, known as "Catfish farm", is a great place to learn about local plants and trees with their mini botanic garden, replete with tarantulas, butterflies and even some crocodiles, as well as the famous giant catfish that squirm and writhe impressively when food is thrown to them.

And no trip to Thailand would be complete without an encounter with the country's national symbol, the elephant. Several elephant camps can be found around the province and all adhere to ethical standards in the treatment of the animals. The best (in terms of scenery on the trek itself) are Phu Naka (near Klong Muang) and Huay Toh Safari, near the Phanom Bencha National Park. All camps offer free pick-up from the tourist areas when you book.

The vast majority of eateries in Krabi, even down to food stalls in the street, are child-friendly. Many foreign restaurants have dedicated children’s menus with standard kids’ fare; most others will be happy to make smaller portions of their regular menu for your child, or prepare simple things to order, such as fried egg and french fries.

Instead of sticking to chicken nuggets, however, take the opportunity to introduce some Thai food into your children’s diet. Non-spicy Thai food that even fussy eaters might like include fried or barbecued chicken from roadside stands; corn-on-the-cob, fried rice, which can be made with chicken, prawns, vegetables or beef and with or without omelette; tempura prawns or vegetables, prawn cakes; chicken satay sticks; Chinese-style dishes such as stir-fried chicken or beef with ginger or oyster sauce, pad thai, noodle soup and spring rolls.

Thai food also has the advantage of being prepared very quickly, so waiting time is kept to a minimum. For pudding, banana fritters and ice-cream never fails to go down a treat, or try a sweet roti pancake from a roadside stand.

In terms of actual restaurants, Bernie’s Place in Ao Nang offers a basic all you can eat buffet, with barbecue, pasta, potato and salad side dishes, fruit and ice-cream for 75-150 baht a head for small children (250 baht for adults). Pizza is another, easily-found option. There are also a number of garden restaurants for lunch where kids can run around and play. Try Krabi Fishing Park, the above mentioned "Catfish Farm", or Orchid Garden on the Klong Son-Nateen Rd near Ao Nang. All serve Thai food or seafood only.

Healthwise, sunburn and irritation from mosquito bites are the most common problems encountered. Hats should be worn in the daytime, with the highest factor suncream (brand name sunscreen for kids is available here), and insect repellent applied before sunset or in the day if visiting jungle areas. If you are bringing a stroller or pushchair to Krabi, make sure it has a proper hood or parasol for shade.

Electric shocks can be another danger. Local Thai plugs and sockets are rarely earthed, so exercise precaution when using electric appliances outside of your hotel. This is also the case for many lightbox signs outside shops and restaurants; keep a close eye on children, who may get a nasty shock if they touch the metal poles on which they stand.