Hi, We're planning a trip to Thailand this summer with our 2 kids (5 and 7). Please tell us if there's anything we need to pay attention and top safest destinations in Thailand. A huge thanks!

Thailand has plenty of their own kids that muddle through.
I don't know what country you are from but compared to Europe, health and safety is non-existent. You won't find bars railings etc to stop inquisitive kids from going too far. There is no "Greencross" to save them from traffic either.
Playing in water even basic precautions don't apply....and litter like broken glass can lurk in the most beautiful beach or stream. Thai people tend to enter water clothed in t-shirts and shorts and often shoes. Child drownings are a major concern in Thailand...
I notice many visitors to Thailand also grossly underestimate the UV risks in the tropics. Buy some hats they'll like wearing!
in general Thai people are very tolerant and admiring of children.. ..They like them around and spoil them rotten. They don't go for the seen and not heard of those stiff northern European countries.
The result of an ever wealthier population means that Thailand has a growing child obesity problem as children are seldom denied any treats or candies they ask for. A lot of people around today know what it's like to wonder where your next bowl of rice is coming from....so denying someone...anyone....food is not in the Thai range of behaviours. It can be hard to find sugar free drinks, especially ones that kids like. If they like iced green tea, you're home and dry!.
if your kids have any food allergies, you'd better start rehearsing the appropriate language for when you get here. Allergies and vegetarianism have widely differing interpretations from one eatery to the next.
You can expect a few insect bites, but mostly a bit of antihistamine cream or TLC is sufficient. DEET is the standard mosquito repellant...I think you'll need to check child doses.
There might be some upset tummies so bear in mind you might have to put a day aside for puke duty.
Check the sea with locals..... children have been stung by box jellies. You might feel the urge to invest in rash vests or stinger suits. These protect against UV too.
Most parts of Thailand have some form of children's entertainment venues....ranging from fun but tacky (e.g. Bugs Bunny and Hello Kitty to outright exploitation of animals. Apart from the animal exploitation, you might keep an eye out for H&S issues at these places. Sharp edges and faulty equipment proliferate. Google child entertainment in Thailand.
Internet is everywhere and I'd recommend you bring two tablets to engage them at quiet times..... might even learn some Thai games.
I would be particularly keen for kids to interact with Thai children....keep an eye out for any school groups etc....they'd love to have foreign kids to interact with.
I haven't seen what time of year you're coming, but Thailand has a habit most of the year of staying hot through the night....fans and air are available but don't go over the top with air. You also need to make sure they are keeping up their water intake.......dehydration in kids is a common problem...They simply don't think about taking time out for a drink.
​​​​​​​Safe enough?

Some tourists do bring their children with them when they visit Thailand. As far as I see most of the parents manage to return home with the same amount of kids.

You might have to keep a tighter reign on your kids than you do back home, especially so if they don't pay attention. You don't identify where you come from, if from Europe or N. America in Thailand the traffic drives on the left like England. Even adult tourists look the wrong way sometimes and get run over by a vehicle.

If your kids have serious allergies that might be a problem. If the kids are fussy eaters you might want to serve a few fried rice meals at home to get them used to a simple cheap meal. There are McDonalds and other familiar fast food providers in the major cities if needed. There are modern supermarkets available too.

Do a Google search and enter "traveling to Thailand with children" and several posts will come up. You might want to check with your doctor for his advice, flu shots, etc. If you are from a nearby country like India, Malaysia or Singapore probably less of a culture shock.

Some tourists fly to Thailand and want to visit places where very few other tourists have been to. Okay for adults, they eat something bad they work the problem out. But with kids if they get hurt or need hospital attention you may be in a remote area and need a long ride to a decent facility. Or on an island paradise where you have to ride a dinghy or ferry boat to somewhere bigger. Major cities like Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket and a few other locations you have a few good hospitals.

Hygiene. In Thailand if your kids get sick it might not be the food. It could be because your kids did not clean their hands off and whatever was stuck to their grubby little fingers ends up on the food they consume. Immediately before the little buggers touch food wipe their hands and fingers off. Some adult tourists who blame "bad food" for their stomach problems actually got sick because they touched their food with dirty hands. (Easy to get moist tissues in Thailand, supermarkets have them, some pharmacies, etc.)

Water. You have to monitor the kids for what they drink. BTW, you don't drink the tap water! Bathing is okay. Bottled water is cheap anyway. If they do forget and get tap water in them it is not like poison where you must go to a doctor. Sometimes I brush teeth with tap water, even made coffee with it in a pinch. (Heavier metal content, maybe some dissolved stuff you don't want to know about. Many Thais drink the tap water. Some food is cooked with tap water.)

When you visit you could have some weather problems. When you say you will visit during summer - what months is your summer? All of Thailand has a summertime type weather but there are months with more rain and kind of hot. You do have to take precautions when very hot. If you arrive during the rainy season don't despair, most of the time the rain stops in a few hours and you have enough sunshine for suntans. Different parts of the country can experience different amounts of rainfall even sometimes little or no rain.

If your kids have never been on a plane before Google up information on "traveling with kids on a plane" or us a similar phrase. (Maybe avoid looking at the "Snakes on a Plane" movie!)

Got passports?

Good luck.

Thousands of families visit Thailand every year. You might look at trip reports here from people who took their kids to Thailand.

The things you need to be aware of are safely issues such as traffic, food and water precautions (make sure the kids wash their hands before eating anything, help them keep their fingers out of their mouths) and make sure they stay hydrated with bottled water. There are not safety railings, and while I love riding the water taxis on the river in Bangkok, be aware that the boats pause rather than stop and you have to be quick to get on and off.

"safest destinations in Thailand" ? I'd say that everywhere is equally safe. Go and enjoy!

Well... after hearing tons of warnings we're considering some other destination. Maybe Korea this Jul/Aug. Anw thanks for all the thorough advices! Any local here

South Korea is a great choice mileelauren, I would also take a look at Taiwan and maybe Japan. All are have a lot to offer in terms of sights to see, especially for kids. The food is excellent and whilst not a major factor in Thailand hygiene is of a much higher standard in those countries.

Thousands travel to Thailand (Phuket) every year with infants and older children.

Choose good quality hotels and you will not have any problems.

If you do have any health or accident issues, the international hospitals are excellent.

Hi mileelauren. My daughter Pranee, half Thai/half white, now 10 yrs, wants to go to school in America. Her American dad died 2 yrs ago and Pranee has an aunt in California she knows quite well. So it all seems reasonable. Do you think she will be safe in an American school?
Pranee is the lynchpin to my life so even the thought of recent school shootings there, 12,000 miles away, makes me sick. Can Pranee be safe in America?

I'm not sure what people told you that made you feel Thailand is unsafe for kids.

South Korea in July/August - you might want to look at a weather site. It's pretty rainy.

I also agree with Taiwan and Japan. I just got back from Taiwan and it was great. I'd go back in a heart beat. I was also in Japan, during the summer, and will be going back this coming summer. I don't have kids, but I could see both Taiwan and Japan being great for kids. I wish I could have taken my little nieces/nephew.

Happy Travels!

Oh sorry to make you think I'm American. Actually we're based in Spain. As far as I know America safety varies depending on states. I wish the best to your girl and hope she'll be in good hands!