What really stood out wasn’t just how beautiful it was, but how easy it was travelling as a family, especially with teenagers. From domestic flights and transfers to excursions, food and getting around, everything felt smooth, affordable and incredibly welcoming.

We started our trip in Bangkok with three nights in a centrally located hotel, which made exploring the city really easy. Bangkok is busy, vibrant and full of energy, but that’s exactly what makes it such a brilliant place to begin a Thailand adventure.

The teenagers absolutely loved jumping into tuk tuks and weaving through the bustling streets. Every corner of the city feels alive, from the smells of street food cooking to the music and markets hidden down side streets.

We packed loads into a few days and visited many of the famous sights including:
• Grand Palace
• Wat Arun
• Wat Pho with the famous reclining Buddha
• A traditional long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and canals
• Floating markets
• Night markets and street food markets across the city

The long tail boat trip was one of my personal favourites because it gives you a completely different view of Bangkok away from the skyscrapers and traffic. Seeing traditional homes along the waterways mixed with modern city life was incredible.

Thailand is also fantastic for families when it comes to food. Whether you want authentic Thai cuisine, quick snacks from street vendors, fresh fruit smoothies or familiar western restaurants, there is something everywhere and it’s so affordable compared to many long haul destinations.

After Bangkok, we flew down to Koh Samui and honestly the journey could not have been easier.

The domestic flights in Thailand are brilliant for families. Quick, well organised and frequent. But the real surprise was arriving into Samui International Airport. It’s genuinely one of the nicest airports I’ve ever used. Open air, tropical gardens everywhere, boutique style waiting areas and it instantly puts you into holiday mode the second you land.

We stayed in Fisherman's Village which I would highly recommend for families with teenagers. It has such a relaxed atmosphere with beachfront restaurants, markets, live music and plenty going on without feeling overly busy.

One of the things I loved most about Koh Samui was how much there is to do. You can completely relax if you want to, but there are also so many excursions that work perfectly for teenagers who want a bit more adventure.

Some of our highlights included:

 Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan Speedboat Tour
Crystal clear water, snorkelling, white sand beaches and stunning viewpoints. One of the standout days of the trip.

 Pink Dolphin & Pig Island Experience
A brilliant family day combining snorkelling, boat trips and visiting the famous pigs on Koh Madsum. Seeing the pink dolphins was an amazing bonus and a real pinch me moment… probably my personal highlight

 Elephant Haven

Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary and seeing the elephants being cared for properly was such a special experience. to be able to sit in front of them in their natural environment whilst we had a family meal really was incredible

 Capybara Café
A slightly more unusual stop but my youngest absolutely loved it one the teenagers abssolutely loved it

 ATV Quad Adventure
Perfect for older children . Driving through jungle tracks and muddy trails made for such a fun afternoon. I wouldn’t advise any younger than 16 driving though even though they say you can

 Angthong Marine Park
Absolutely stunning. Limestone islands, emerald lagoons, kayaking and unreal scenery everywhere you look.

We then flew back via Bangkok and ended up celebrating Songkran with the locals, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole holiday.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of it, Songkran is Thailand’s New Year celebration and turns into one giant nationwide water fight. Entire streets are filled with music, water pistols, laughter and people celebrating together.

What I loved most was how welcoming and family friendly it felt. You’d have grandparents, young children, locals and tourists all joining in together. It’s impossible not to get involved.

As someone who books family holidays every single day, I genuinely think Thailand is one of the best long haul destinations for families travelling with teenagers.

You have culture, adventure, beaches, wildlife, amazing food and fantastic value for money all in one trip. The biggest surprise for many people is just how straightforward it is. Internal flights are easy, excursions are well organised and the Thai people are unbelievably welcoming.

Whether you want luxury hotels, island hopping, cultural experiences or just quality family time together, Thailand really does offer something for everyone.

After experiencing it first hand as a family travelling with teenagers, I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation