Family Travel - Koh Samui, Thailand

While living in Shanghai, our family went on plenty of getaways that consisted of sitting on lounge chairs. But for one of our vacations we chose to be more adventurous: booking active, exciting day trips in two regions of Thailand.

Behind the wheel

We flew into Bangkok (around four hours from Shanghai), then directly to Koh Samui on an hour-long flight via Thai Airways, where we arrived at the airport to an easily found car rental area. Having booked a vehicle online, and needing nothing more than our US driver’s licenses, it was a hassle-free experience. Options like Avis and Enterprise give you plenty of companies to choose from, just keep in mind that they drive on the left hand side of the road in Thailand – which can be a challenge if you’re not used to it. 

Lying in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is known for its affordable luxury and palm-fringed beaches – a reputation it undeniably deserves. Though there is no shortage of options to choose from, we stayed at Horizon Villas, a gorgeous home in a gated community. In the Choeng Mon Beach area, we were met with plenty of room for our family of five, panoramic mountain views, an infinity pool and all the amenities one could ever want. Kids in tow, we frequented local shops for breakfast food for the villa and snacks to bring along on our adventures.

Off the roadOur first day trip was a pre-booked, full service ATV tour by X-Quad Samui. The guide, Nico, picked us up at our villa, bringing us to the company’s facility for the four-hour program. In the lush, vibrant green hills, we were able to select from a range of vehicles, most of which were able to seat two people. X-Quad also carried smaller models like the Yamaha Breeze, so kids around 10 and older could drive themselves. 

We started out with a bumpy, hour-long jungle ride, stopping at breathtaking vantage points along the way. Helping us navigate the rough terrain, we were led by guides on dirt bikes throughout the wet and muddy trail. Points had hairpin turns, branches or roots across the path, necessitating some skillful maneuvering, and while a few passengers struggled, the guides soon sorted them out helping everyone safely navigate their vehicles. The peak trail ended at two huge golden Buddha statues overlooking turquoise seas and a jungle landscape. Afterwards, we had a break at their mid-way camp where we enjoyed a delicious home-style Thai lunch of marinated grilled chicken, fried rice, fresh cucumber salad and sweet freshly sliced fruit, reveling in the much needed rest from our wheels. For the second part of the day, trucks rode us through the jungle to a hidden waterfall and refreshing swim – the kids loving every moment. 

By the bay

Our second day was spent on a luxury yacht cruise around the Ang Thong Marine Park, famous for inspiring Hollywood movie “The Beach.” The towering rocks (known as karsts) that jut out from the ocean are awesome, dark with lush vegetation and juxtaposed over the clear tropical waters, teeming with marine life – a perfect site for snorkeling enthusiasts. Having chosen to cruise with Boutique Yachting for around USD 125 a head (¥833), we were once again picked up at our villa by the crew. While we loved having the car, transportation was included for many activities to eliminate hassle, making it a wonderful addition but not a necessary one. Upon boarding the 30-meter, two-masted, Indonesian pinsi, The Baidee, we found the boat fully equipped, keeping everyone comfortable throughout the excursion, with plenty to entertain the kids. 

Once we arrived at the Ang Thong Marine Park and had a swim in the impeccable waters, we went on to Koh Mae Koh for some island hiking. The 100-meter climb to the view of Emerald Lake’s glassy surface was not for the faint of heart, with uneven, steep steps that weren’t exactly child friendly. My husband and I spent most of the trail helping our kids, even carrying our youngest from time to time (note: know your children’s limits and be wary of little legs when planning for island climbing). Despite the work, the views were inevitably worth the climb. When we looked in one direction, we were able to see tall limestone walls covered with thick vegetation. In the other, the chains of small islands and pristine waters were another amazing sight to behold; a beautiful but trying experience on our family. At the beach of Koh Wua Talap, the kids marveled at the little tropical fish swimming around their feet, ending the day amidst a stunning sunset, passing by beautiful land and rock formations. 

The rest of our time on Koh Samui was spent driving around, visiting the island’s many beaches, which were mostly part of hotels or neighboring restaurants’ property. We were always met by cocktails and mocktails within a short walk, and with many sporting lounge chairs and trees, parents can easily dapple in the shade while kids build sand castles and paddle in the clear shallows. With many local treats, from beach-side fresh fruit smoothies to grilled satay, for a few USD, the combination of adventure and leisure had us all feeling like we made the most of our trip. 

In the kitchen

Return flights to Shanghai can have notoriously weird schedules, so we arranged a long enough layover to plan an activity in Bangkok. Arriving at around 10am and taking our final leg out at midnight, we allotted a solid 14 hours in the country’s capital. 

Choosing to pass on sight-seeing, we instead found a home-based cooking program in hopes of seeing a more personal side of the bustling city. Storing our luggage at the airport for about USD 3 per bag (¥20), we easily took a taxi from the airport to a local market where we met our hostess, Angsana Andersson. By contrast, Bangkok’s fast pace was invigorating; passing colorful small temples and shrines, photo billboards of the Thai royal family, surrounded by cars which even surpassed Shanghai traffic at times. At the market, Andersson told us about all of the local produce as she led us through the vendors. Wide rice noodles were prepared and cut to order – a preview of what would later become a phenomenal pad see-ew, or stir-fry with soy sauce, pork and egg. After our market adventure, we drove to Andersson’s home to make larb mu, yum muu yang and pad see ew, explaining every step to our kids along the way, letting them cut, puree and even stir fry ingredients in a wok. The food tasted out of this world and Andersson’s warm, friendly personality made the class truly unforgettable – the kids loving making dishes with their new friend.

We took a taxi back to the airport with full bellies and hearts. Even though we had to fly at midnight, experiencing Thai home life and cuisine made it worth the while. and we saw the best of the country’s famous hospitality throughout our trip. Between the natural beauty of Koh Samui and the vibrancy of Bangkok, where the spirit of the people was on full display, we will forever treasure the memories made in the jungles, beaches and kitchens of beautiful Thailand.