Route :
We spent 2 weeks in Thailand. We arrived on December 24th, 2023 and left on January 7th, 2024
We visited Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Phuket, and Bangkok. Our tour was as follows:
- Arrival in Bangkok with 1 night to rest. Flight to Krabi for the real start of our trip.
- KRABI : Beaches and relaxation (AO Nang, Railay) – (2 nights)
- KOH LANTA : Beaches and relaxation (Lanta Old Town, Klong Dao) – (2 nights)
- PHI PHI : Beaches, walks and excursions (TonSai, Pi Leh, Maya Bay) – (2 nights)
- PHUKET : Beaches, Street Food, New Year, and elephant visit (Patong, Freedom Beach, Old Town) – (4 nights)
- BANGKOK : Temples, Street Food & Markets (Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chatuchak … ) – (3 nights)
To Get there :
For family reasons, our departure city is Tunis
Our flights were with the Saudi company “Saudia” with a stopover in Jeddah.
We paid € 1 534 for the round trip for 2 people and a 1-year-old baby.
We had 8 hours of stopovers on the way there and 10 hours on the way back
Jeddah airport (King Abdulaziz International Airport) is not exceptional for an overnight stopover. There are a few restaurants open and almost no shops or ways to pass the time. The stopovers were very long.
On the way there, we spent one night in Bangkok before going to Krabi. We did not do any visits during this night. We took the hotel “Pho Place” (99 Trok Pho, Samphanthawong, Bangkok) at €32
Accommodations :
We stayed in 6 hotels:
- Bangkok : Pho Place (1 night)
- Krabi (AO Nang) : Kokotel Krabi Ao Nang (2 nights)
- Koh Lanta : Khlongdao Sunset Villa (2 nights)
- Phi Phi : Phi Phi Rimlay Resort (2 nights)
- Phuket (Patong) : C & N Resort and Spa (4 nights)
- Bangkok : Siri Heritage Bangkok Hotel (3 nights)
Between the cities :
We traveled between cities using these methods:
For online boat reservations :
Krabi – Koh Lanta : https://www.aonangtravel.co.th/en
Koh Lanta – Phi Phi : https://12go.asia/fr
Phi Phi – Phuket : https://12go.asia/fr
For taxi moves, you can install Grab in addition to Uber
Budget :
Our child is under 2 years old during this trip, he does not pay for a seat on the plane but only airport taxes. On the other hand, he will not have a seat
Our Budget for 2 adults and a baby under 2 years old was €4,000 for 16 days (14 in Thailand):
Money :
To change euros or dollars into Thai Baht (THB), the bank rates at the airport are less attractive than those of the exchange offices outside. At the airport, it is better to change only a small amount in order to pay for a taxi and the first expenses before being able to change again in town. Exchange offices are quite easy to find everywhere.
In December 2023, 1 euro = 38 THB and 1 US dollar = 35 THB
Visa :
For Europeans, Thailand is Visa-free as long as the stay does not exceed 60 days.
For us, Tunisians, a Visa is required.
The Visa can be requested online (E-Visa)
The request is made via https://thaievisa.go.th/
The processing time is around 30 days
In case of request for additional documents, the delay may increase.
Plan ahead to avoid any problems.
The application is tracked via the same website.
The visa is issued as a PDF file downloadable from the site.
The E-Visa costs €25 per person, but it is free for Tunisians. We do not know the reason of that but it suits us.
Phone plan :
Consider buying a phone plan with an internet connection. There are special packages for tourists. We took this package:
Operator: True Move
Package: Infinite SIM
Local number: Included
International calls included: 100 THB included
National calls included: unlimited
Data: unlimited in 5G
Price: 700 THB = 18.5 €
Weather :
Visiting period : December and January
For 2 weeks, it rained 2 or 3 times and it never lasted more than an hour.
The temperature does not drop below 20°C at night and not below 25°C during the day
The air is very humid, this is especially felt in Bangkok, with the pollution
Cheklist :
- Antiseptic
- Paracetamol
- Diarrhea treatment
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Anti-itch cream
- Earplugs
- Hydroalcoholic gel
- Antibacterial wipe
- Hats
- Sunglasses
Traveling with a baby :
We have never seen a people who love babies so much. They do everything to help you.
Don’t be shocked to see them playing with your baby, even carrying and kissing him without asking your permission.
They even asked us, several times, to wake him up to play with him, while he was sleeping peacefully in his stroller. Of course we didn’t do it, but it gives an idea of the kindness and jovial nature of the Thais
You can use your stroller almost everywhere, even on longtail boats, the locals don’t hesitate to help you with transportation.
Outside of the big shopping centers, it’s not very easy to find toilets equipped for changing diapers, but, honestly, with the summer weather, you can change your baby’s diaper almost anytime and anywhere.
It’s one of the most baby friendly countries
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