[Erin]

My husband and I are thinking about going to Thailand with our 2 year old and 5 month old next month. This will be our first vacation with kids. We're looking for somewhere inexpensive, interesting to explore, fairly mellow, with nice beaches. We're really not the resort people, so a little beach house or guest house off the beating path would be great. Any suggestions on where to go?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Erin

[shri]

We had a really good time with our son at the Allamanda in Phuket and the Marriot Resort in Bangkok.

Yeah, I know it does not meet your specifications... but if its your first big trip with a kid, might as well not push too many limits in one shot.

You'll also find a number of other recommendations from the veterans on http://www.geobaby.com

[Jamie_Koh]

I was in Sheraton (Laguna Phuket). Had 2 babies elephant to entertain my daugther and son (abt your childrens' age a year ago). It was a great getaway! But again, it's a resort. Also had experience with Holiday Inn right in the heart of Phuket also a good choice. But go for the Busakorn wing as oppose to the main wing. It is a walking distance to the beach, restaurants, fastfood and night markets. They also offer great children program for free but not for anyone below 4 yrs old unless accompanied by baby sitter/parent. They do offer baby sitter services as well.

[JonnyC]

I think Hua Hin is perfect for families, it's about 2 hour drive from Bangkok down the coast, taxi about 1500-2000 baht. It doesn't have the loud nightlife of say samui or phuket but it still has plenty of bars and restaurants and the hilton has a nice bar and show too where you could take kids.
I stayed at the chom view hotel which it at the south end of the beach and about a mile or so away from the centre where most of the bars and restaurants are. The hotel has a free shuttle bus which will take you into the centre and taxis back are only around 50-100 baht. You shouldn't be paying more than 1500 baht for a room at this time of year.
The beach is very nice too and there is plenty to do in the daytime, most of the tourists there are families or couples

[Jamie_Koh]

Have to disagree with JhonnyC for the beach being nice. To think that you are with 2 young kids, *I will avoid travelling by car for 2hours or so from Bangkok.

[JonnyC]

Originally Posted by Jamie_Koh

Have to disagree with JhonnyC for the beach being nice. To think that you are with 2 young kids, *I will avoid travelling by car for 2hours or so from Bangkok.

2 hours in a minibus has to be easier than approx 5 hours that it takes to get a plane to phuket or samui though surely?
Regarding the beach, takes all sorts but I thought it was nice and the thai royal family holiday there so it can't be that bad

[HKfornow]

If it's your first trip with your little one, I would not plan anything too ambitious, just somewhere you can relax and don't focus on activities. We did Bangkok & Hua Hin last year, and the trip to Hua Hin took about 2 1/2 hours, it became a bit too long for my son. . . but once we got there he was fine. It was ok, but my son did not enjoy it as much as our trip to Phuket (same as Jamie_Koh, Sheraton Laguna Phuket) this year. We did not wander out of the resort, and just enjoyed the pool & beach, and that was quite enough for us.

At the end of the day, depends on what you guys like. If you would like sight seeing & culture, then Bangkok would be good. If you are looking to relax by the beach perhaps Phuket or Samui (which I've heard is very nice but don't have personal experience), wherever it is, just take it slow and don't pack too much activity in one day and you should be fine.