Visiting With My 8 Year Old Daughter

[EricZ]

I am planning a visit to Thailand. Im a single father of an 8 year old. We travel to many places, usually staying for 3 months or more. Since I cant "rough it" and need to make accomidations for her, I was wondering if I could get some advice on places we might stay. We are not interested in "tourist" attractions or being along the coast. Just to live a "normal local" lifestyle. Been thinking of the north-east area. Thank you for any advice.

[leisurely]

Why don't you ask for this to be moved to the area of the forum you are interested in visitng? Issan/Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai. Also, you could consider renting a flat or house, they only problem would be the furnishing I should think. Good luck

[londonthai]

if you don't speak much language the rural thailand might be a bit difficult to you and your doughter. I would think, that she will need some schooling as well as socialising with the english speaking kids. In some larger places you might find some activities for your doughter or even a private tutor, if no place fo her in the school or if the fees are too high.

as to accommodation - there are cheap guest houses but rooms are small, often without windows, with shared bathroom and with only basic furniture (beds and chair). For the same money or even cheaper you can get a decent detached house with a kitchen, washing mashine, play area and garden.

Depending when you want to travel, the high season is around xmas and finding accommodation is more difficult and more expensive

[fletchsmile]

I am planning a visit to Thailand. Im a single father of an 8 year old. We travel to many places, usually staying for 3 months or more. Since I cant "rough it" and need to make accomidations for her, I was wondering if I could get some advice on places we might stay. We are not interested in "tourist" attractions or being along the coast. Just to live a "normal local" lifestyle. Been thinking of the north-east area. Thank you for any advice.

To be honest it's not really going to be practical for you to live a "normal local" lifestyle in NE Thailand. "High" end, maybe. The average lifestyle is pretty basic, and the type of accommodation they live in, isn't normally for rent for 3 months.

Perhaps if you're really lucky someone might invite you to stay at their house for a while. You could try posting on here and asking expats living up country if you could stay with them, or they have friends/family you could stay with as a paying guest. Never heard of anyone doing this. Personally I wouldn't like to do it with my daughter unless I knew the people. Think very carefully about the risks for your daughter: you sound like you don't know much about Thailand: healthcare, languages, and being up country, plus not knowing people there'd be quite a bit of risk if an emergency came up or problems arose.

If you're really set on it, best you're likely to be able to do is stay in say a hotel, close to where locals live and observe their lifestyle. It's an interesting part of the country to visit. Perhaps start with some of the larger towns, eg Khon Khaen, Udon, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani. I've also two nephews a little older than your daughter, who live in the UK. I live in Thailand, speak good Thai, have a Thai wife, and like that part of Thailand, but I wouldn't expect my nephews to be interested in more than a week max in the same place in NE Thailand, even with me looking after them. They'd get bored.

Edited October 2, 2007 by fletchthai68

[maccaroni man]

I just did a 4 month 15k mile trip alone with my 8 yr old son. the number one lesson i learned from this, is to make sure there are other children to play with. good luck and have fun.

[londonthai]

the kid needs school for education as much as socialising. Preferably interacting with some english speaking kids. Finding a school for only 3 months might be a problem - but there are always activities around which she can get part in, sports.