Thailand for families?

[katria]

Has anyone taken their children to Thailand? If yes, where did you go and where did you stay? Any tips you have would be much appreciated. We are thinking of going there with our 12 and 14 year old boys. They like sports, so an action-oriented vacation is probably best, but some sightseeing is ok too.
Thanks!

[emelia]

There is a tremendous amount of vatiety to Thailand. We have visted many times, when we were young, as teenagers and not when we are somewhat older !
You have choices such as busy islands geared for tourists such as Phuket and Koh Samui, there are quieter islands such as Koh Chang and Koh Lanta. You will find nice places to stay at Thailand hotels (http://www.asiaoz.com/thailand_hotels.html)throughout the country. The cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai have their own individual styles, Bangkok is lively and vibrant, Chiang mai is the ideal gateway to the north of Thailand. There are plenty of other places, though if this is your first trip I would suggest bangkok and then head to Chiang Mai for a few days, some great hotels in Chiang Mai, then take the daily non stop flight to Phuket. That will give you an introduction to Thailand.
There are flights, trains and express buses, though flying is the fastest obviously, several airlines on most major routes.
You will find some excellent family hotels in Phuket (http://www.nongasia.com/phuket_hotels.html)and resorts. There are other beach options near Bangkok such as the Sunrise Coast including Hua Hin. We have stayed at the Hyatt which is one of the best Hua Hin Hotels (http://www.huahin.20m.com/)and also at the Sofitel. In Phuket you have choices of busy beach area, i.e Patong, or quieter beaches, though still with plenty of hotels, shops, restaurants. You will have a marvelopus time I am sure.

[emelia]

You will find sports in all the busy resort areas, Chiang Mai and Chiang rai are good for soft adventure tours and treks. You can stay in the city but there are also Chiang Mai hotels (http://www.chiang-mai-hotels.itgo.com/) that are close to Chiang Mai but in more sceneic and rual areas surrounding Chiang mai.

[JamesMead]

We had a short stop over in Bangkok. It was great for shopping. I'm not so sure with the adventurous side of Bangkok. My kids are 5 and 7, so we went more on the kids' stuff, like riding elephants and buying toys (things are pretty cheap there).

[emelia]

Katrai, did you go ? if so do give us a report on your trip