Special Things to Do on Thailand family holidays
Just outside the attractive old city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand lies a superb family-friendly resort. Set amid 60 acres of paddy fields and lush greenery, this makes the ideal base from which to explore the region's natural beauty and cultural attractions. walking with elephants, mountain biking, river rafting and visits to the villages of the local hill tribes are some of the activities on offer. Chiang Mai itself, founded as the capital of Lanna - the 'Kingdom of One Million Rice Fields' that once ruled this part of Southeast Asia - has impressive temples and atmospheric shopping at the famous night bazaar.
From Chiang Mai, there are direct flights down to Phuket, which saves connecting via Bangkok. Thailand's largest island has some of the best beaches in Asia and more top-class family-friendly hotels. For any family with Bond fans in their ranks, a great day trip is to the scenic Khow Ping Kan Islands, which featured in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.