Rolf Heinrich, Köln · File:Sanctuary of Truth 2016-02-19-02.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sanctuary_of_Truth_2016-02-19-02.jpg
Bangkok & Pattaya Family Holiday, 4 Nights
Thailand's easiest first holiday with children: two nights in Bangkok built around Safari World's drive-through and shows and an evening by the river, then a two-hour drive to Pattaya for the carved wooden Sanctuary of Truth, a speedboat morning on Coral Island's sand and the gardens, dinosaurs and elephant show at Nong Nooch. No internal flights, short drives, early dinners, and a hotel pool at both ends.
Photographs: Supanut Arunoprayote · File:Tawaen Beach, Ko Lan.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tawaen_Beach,_Ko_Lan.jpg · Michael Karavanov · File:Nong Nooch Botanical Garden - panoramio.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nong_Nooch_Botanical_Garden_-_panoramio.jpg
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
Thailand's easiest first holiday with children: two nights in Bangkok built around Safari World's drive-through and shows and an evening by the river, then a two-hour drive to Pattaya for the carved wooden Sanctuary of Truth, a speedboat morning on Coral Island's sand and the gardens, dinosaurs and elephant show at Nong Nooch. No internal flights, short drives, early dinners, and a hotel pool at both ends.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Safari World: the 8 km drive-through past giraffe, zebra and rhino, then the dolphin, sea-lion and orang-utan shows in the Marine Park
- An evening at the Asiatique riverfront with the big wheel and the Chao Phraya boats
- The Sanctuary of Truth: a hundred-metre temple carved entirely from wood, begun in 1981 and still being built
- Coral Island (Ko Lan) by speedboat, 7.5 km off Pattaya, with a morning on Tawaen beach
- Nong Nooch: 500 acres of themed gardens, the dinosaur valley and the afternoon cultural and elephant show
- Hotels with pools at both ends and a driver for every transfer
- Short days, early dinners and Indian meal options arranged on request
Day-by-day itinerary
Met at Suvarnabhumi and driven into the city. The afternoon is left for the pool, because the first Bangkok afternoon with children is always better spent that way than in traffic. In the evening a short drive to the Asiatique riverfront: the open-air market, the big wheel with the river lit below it, and dinner at one of the terraces looking across the Chao Phraya. An early night; tomorrow is a full day. · Bangkok · Airport transfer, about 45 minutes
Safari World in Khlong Sam Wa, open since 1988: the vehicle drives the 8 km Safari Park route through the giraffe, zebra, rhino and deer herds with the windows down, then the Marine Park side has its timed shows — dolphins, sea lions, the orang-utan boxing, the birds — and the feeding platforms. Lunch is taken inside. Back to the hotel by mid-afternoon for the pool, and dinner near the hotel. · Bangkok · Private vehicle, about an hour each way
The motorway south-east, about 150 km, with a stop for lunch on the way. The afternoon is the Sanctuary of Truth on the headland at Naklua: a hundred-metre temple of carved teak, begun in 1981 and unfinished by design, where the carvers are at work and children are given hard hats at the door. The evening is the beach road and dinner; Walking Street's nightlife is a few streets away and the itinerary keeps you clear of it. · Pattaya · Private vehicle, about 2 hours
A speedboat from Bali Hai pier to Ko Lan, the island the tour boats call Coral Island, 7.5 km out: a morning on Tawaen beach, a swim in calm water, a glass-bottom boat or a banana boat for those who want one, lunch on the sand. Back by early afternoon and out to Nong Nooch, 500 acres of gardens open since 1980 — the French garden, the cactus houses, the dinosaur valley — and the afternoon cultural show with the elephants. Dinner back in Pattaya. · Pattaya · Speedboat and private vehicle
A last morning at the pool and a late checkout where the hotel allows it, then the drive to Suvarnabhumi — about 120 km from Pattaya, so the airport is closer than from the city — for the flight home. On request the day can add the floating market at Pattaya or an early lunch on Jomtien beach before the transfer. · Pattaya · Airport transfer, about 1 hour 45 minutes
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- 4 nights' hand-picked accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Safari World and Marine Park entry with the show schedule
- Sanctuary of Truth and Nong Nooch entry
- Speedboat to Coral Island and back
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver for the transfers and sightseeing days listed
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- Toll, parking and driver allowances
- 24/7 on-trip support from Live Traveller
Excluded
- International flights to and from Thailand
- Lunches and dinners unless listed
- Monument, park and activity entry fees unless listed
- Rides and games at Nong Nooch, and water sports on Coral Island, paid on the day
- Cabaret or theme-park evenings in Pattaya, on request
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Frequently asked
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