We loved the time we spent in Thailand a week in Bangkok visiting beautiful temples and city sights, 2 weeks in Chang Mai which was a mix of temples (white Temple and hill temples) then our longest stay yet!
Six weeks in Phuket, it was nice for a break and it taught us to love the slow days. We were on a house and cat sit near a park with a pool that quickly became the centre of our routine. Schoolwork at the table, swims in the afternoon, easy dinners, movie nights. Nothing dramatic, just the kind of family travel that lets everyone breathe just a bit.
We lived like locals with groceries, park time and a lot of pool laps. The rainy season playbook meant beach plans sometimes became indoor days when the skies opened. A couple of low key outings kept spirits high too. Central Phuket cinema was a win for Georgia while Dotty and I wandered the shops. In the calmer moments we mapped the next legs to Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia with a healthy list of hotels, beaches, camper vans and car hire.
Weather reality check
We got lucky. Most days were sunshine with blue skies, we had about two weeks that were a mix of showers and bright breaks. It is not like the UK where rain can feel constant, even in summer!. In Phuket it usually pours hard, clears fast and the sun is back out. That pattern meant plenty of time in the water and hardly any true write offs.
Pool power
The house pool was the hero. We swam most days, sometimes twice, which turned “mixed weather” into “perfect swimming windows”. Quick dip before breakfast, a longer splash after lunch, a final cool down before dinner. For family travel it kept costs low and moods high.
Big-ticket days that were worth it!
James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay
We grabbed an early start and it paid off. Longtail on the water, limestone towers in every direction and that classic 007 view. The beach gets busy by late morning, so the first boats feel calmer and friendlier for families. We looped the viewpoints and little coves and took turns with the camera.
Family notes: early boat for cooler temps and fewer crowds, short beach stints to keep energy up, snacks and water on hand and life jackets on which made everything simpler.
The highlight for us was the kayak sea caves, hidden lagoons and flat, glassy paddling that even small arms can enjoy if a grown-up or guide sets the pace. The tunnels were the showstopper. Drifting through “secret doors” into bright green “rooms” with birds overhead and tiny fish under the hull felt properly magical.
Family notes: guides read tides and time the cave entries, kids sit in the middle and feel part of it, keep phones in a dry bag, use reef-safe sunscreen and pack a lightweight towel.
Three island sea tour
Magical islands with birds overhead and tiny fish under the hull felt properly magical. We mixed a bit of do-it-yourself close to shore snoring, then later jumped of shore and swam over corals with magical fish ending with a swam off a quiet beach with with tiny sharks before heading home.
Tour day checklist: book an early departure, water shoes for slippery bits and rocks sun protection plus a light rain jacket, motion remedy before boarding if needed and a change of clothes in a dry bag.
Ethical elephant day: Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
We chose Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Paklok for a no riding, observation-first experience. The canopy walkway lets you watch rescued elephants roam, forage, bathe and socialise from a respectful distance, which kept the whole visit calm for the kids. There are a few programme options, from a shorter canopy tour to a half-day with more learning and feeding time. Book ahead in busier weeks, bring water and a light rain layer and keep phones in a dry bag for surprise showers.
One last slow hour at Booktree Library and Café
With our bags dropped at the airport hotel and the flight to Malaysia on the horizon, we gave ourselves one more gift before saying goodbye to Thailand: a quiet stop at Booktree in Pa Klok. Cool drinks, leafy corners, shelves you can actually borrow from and a little kids area that makes reading feel like a game. Everyone found a nook, the noise dropped to a happy hum and we closed the Thailand chapter calm and together.
Highlights for families
Easy routines win. A pool at home beats a long car ride in the rain. Keep indoor backups ready, like soft play, craft kits and a cinema plan for stormy afternoons. Book breaks reset the energy after lots of “doing”. Short mini missions, like a new market snack or a quick park run, keep little legs happy. Planning together turns logistics into part of the adventure.
Practical notes we would pass on
Transport wise, short hops beat cross island schleps on wet days. Villa Market near Central Phuket kept the fridge friendly for picky moments. Treat it as rainy season, not stay inside season, watch the sky and move when it clears.
Inside days are cheaper than you think. Pool, park and a treat drink go a long way. With cat sitting, set simple routines, feeds, play, tidy, repeat.
What we learned in Phuket
Slow travel is not only fewer moves, it is permission to do less. A good library hour can rescue a whole day. Planning the next countries together keeps team spirit high. Leaving room for ordinary days makes the special days feel brighter.
Next stop: Malaysia
Bags packed, cats cuddled, last books read. We are off to Malaysia with a happy kind of tired and a stack of new stories.
Plan your own route like we do:
Make My Drive Fun: https://tantrummingtrailblazers.com/tools/make-my-drive-fun/
AI for Travellers: https://tantrummingtrailblazers.com/ai-for-travellers/
Let us know your tips in the comments below!
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