Travelling with children in Phuket
Most visiting families find Thailand a delightful place to travel, as Thais are exceptionally warm-hearted towards kids. Rather than viewing children as a nuisance, Thais will welcome them almost anywhere with open arms. Don’t be surprised to find that hotel staff, shopkeepers, waitresses and others become impromptu babysitters wherever you go. This makes travelling in Phuket with children very easy.
Some kids may find Thais’ exuberant friendliness towards them at times overwhelming or even frightening. Be sure to give your child some advance warning about the local culture, and the occasional “time out” in your hotel premises may be needed.
Kid-friendly activities are available at several of the resorts in Phuket, and there are a number of attractions that will amuse the kids, such as the Phuket FantaSea theme park, the Kathu waterski park and Phuket Zoo.
Safety for children in Phuket
Phuket is generally a safe island, but you should keep a close eye on your children, especially around traffic in Phuket. Though many of the locals do it, travel by motorbike is extremely dangerous for kids and not recommended. For infants and toddlers, car seats are not required by law but you may consider bringing your own for taxi rides, etc, to best protect your child. Some car rental companies provide car seats upon request.
During the dry season from November-March the sea is very calm - and this is the safest time of year for swimming. The waves and undertow can be extremely strong during the southeast monsoon season (May to November), and there may be several days in a row where the waters are too hazardous for swimming. If in doubt, keep your kids out of the sea; there are plenty of hotel swimming pools.
Stings and bites from sea creatures are fairly common, though very rarely life threatening and easily treatable. Advise your kids to keep an eye out for jellyfish and sea urchins when swimming or snorkelling. Sunscreen, hats and beach umbrellas are a must, as the sun’s rays are very strong, especially from 11am to 4pm. Always keep bottles of drinking water on hand, too, to fend off dehydration.
When travelling in Phuket with children, watch out for stray dogs which are a common sight at some of the beaches and around town. Though the majority is harmless, kids should be kept well away from these dogs as rabies is a risk. They can also be unpredictable and suddenly aggressive, as a reaction to the cruel treatment they’ve received throughout their lives. In the early morning and at dusk, children should be protected from mosquito bites with repellants and clothing, as there is a chance - a very, very slim chance - of contracting malaria or dengue fever.
While sampling the local food is one of the highlights of travelling in Thailand and Phuket, some of the spices may be too much for some children. Additionally, standards of hygiene are not always high, so your kids may be exposed to more bacteria than they’re used to and may consequently suffer a bout of diarrhoea. There are plenty of places that are clean and healthy, so stick to these just to be sure. Look out for the ‘Good Taste, Clean Food’ endorsement on green and blue signs hanging outside restaurants and kiosks that have passed a health inspection.
Childcare
There are a few daycare centres around the island that offer childcare services for short-term visitors. Ask your hotel or resort concierge for recommendations, though this concept is a little strange to Thais (who have an endless supply of relatives and friends who are only too happy to babysit), so don’t always expect an immediate solution. Additionally, several resorts have childcare facilities on site, offering children of all ages a host of fun activities - and vacationing parents a well-deserved break. Be sure to check in advance when booking your hotel.
Finding a babysitter at an inexpensive price isn’t difficult, but be sure to check references carefully before turning over the care of your children to her.
