Bangkok for Families - Frequently Asked Questions

Bangkok family hotels typically contain some of the following:

• A kids club
• A kiddie pool
• Restaurants with children’s menus
• Cots available on request
• Connecting rooms

Bangkok is as safe as any world metropolis. Crime directed at tourists is rare, usually narrowed down to things like pickpocketing or being duped by unfair prices. Of course, due diligence is needed when out and about, but you'll find many landmarks have police and security close by. One note to consider, not many hotel pools have lifeguards, although kiddie pools are common.

Vaccinations aren’t required, but you should consult your doctor and it should always be your choice. A lot of countries have compulsory vaccinations against many of the childhood diseases found in Thailand, such as tetanus, diphtheria and rubella.

The vast majority of baby products can be found in Bangkok, including western brands. Items will generally be more expensive than you can find back home though. Children often have a favourite toy or brand of baby food and it would be a good idea to bring them along. If space is an issue, you should at least make sure you have several days’ supply of essential items, including:

• Diapers
• Clothes/swimsuit
• Non-allergenic sunscreen
• Baby food
• Milk powder
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mild body wash and shampoo, baby wipes, etc.)
• Favourite toy

Bangkok has several ways for getting around, the easiest being by taxi and the fastest by BTS Skytrain. You should try to avoid rush-hour traffic (from 8am to 9am and from 6pm to 7pm) as the roads often get gridlocked and the trains jam-packed.

When flagging a taxi, one constant issue is the lack of seatbelts in the back seat. This means you'll have to strap the baby seat into the front passenger seat. Some alternatives to this include using an online ride-hailing app like Grab or renting a car with a driver.

Medical care in Bangkok is world-class. The city is home to several of the best hospitals and clinics in Southeast Asia. A selection of the best hospitals with dedicated pediatric wards is listed here. You can always ask the concierge at your hotel for help, too.

• Bumrungrad International Hospital
  Address: 33 Sukhumvit 3, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
  Tel: +66 (0)2 066 8888
• Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
  Address: 133 Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
  Tel: +66 (0)2 022 2222
• Bangkok International Hospital
  Address: 2 Soi Soonvijai 7 New Petchburi Road, Bang Kapi, Huay Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand
  Tel: +66 (0)2 310 3000

Most 5-star family hotels have professional childcare services with highly vetted and qualified staff. This would be our first choice for babysitting services in Bangkok.

Hotels with kids clubs are especially favoured as they have staff on the premises who are accustomed to children from all over the world. If you're looking for a nanny to accompany you on your entire time in Thailand, one highly regarded company is Thai Kids Home.

• http://www.thaikidshome.com/

If you stay in a family hotel, things like cribs and meal-time baby chairs will be covered. But if you're looking for strollers or car seats, A local online company, Tiny Tots, has a variety of baby products available for rent. They stipulate 48 advance notice for most items.

• http://www.tinytots.in.th/homeeng.htm

If you're looking to buy baby equipment, there’s plenty more choice. Most department stores have children’s sections and big malls like CentralWorld have an entire floor dedicated to children’s products.