I've lived in bangkok for 16 years. Have a Thai wife and three kids, 15,13 and 7. Been to the "usual" spots in: Chang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket and Krabi.

Looking for something different and kid friendly for a 3-day weekend.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses!

Kanchanaburi is a quick ride for you. Houseboats on the river are inexpensive accommodations. Get to Erawan park at 7:30 before the hordes get there and hike to the top of the falls. Work your way back down when everyone else arrives.

There are other parks also, speedboat ride on the river the kids will enjoy, there is a video on the Central Thailand Forum of things to do there.

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My idea wasn't kid friendly, so I deleted it.

Edited January 14, 201610 yr by neverdie

A friend just went to Phetchaburi with his family recently. Lots to do. Near Kaeng Krachan national park.

Kanchanaburi is also a great place to explore!

Take them camping in Doi Angkang.

The lowest temperature recorded is -3 °C in January.

A great trip is to go from Pitsanulok to Petchabun via Route 12. It is very scenic and there are many things to stop and view on the way. Such things as waterfalls, running the rapids in a rubber raft, a beautiful temple with 5 Buddha images sitting in a row (Wat Pha Sorn Kaew) and the road itself is new and breathtaking. There are plenty of great hotels in Khau Kho, in Petchabun and great views in the morning and evening. This time of year you may even be fogged in in the morning. Route 21 is a great highway back to Bangkok for the return trip.

if going to kanchanaburi i recommend lake heaven resort. it is maldives style right on the water and has a huge water play area for kids. close enough to erawan and saiyok yai waterfall where you can rent a small boat or a raft for up and down the river,, kids should love it as well

Take them camping in Doi Angkang.

The lowest temperature recorded is -3 °C in January.

Camping in Thailand?? They had better be prepared for all those mossies.

A great trip is to go from Pitsanulok to Petchabun via Route 12. It is very scenic and there are many things to stop and view on the way. Such things as waterfalls, running the rapids in a rubber raft, a beautiful temple with 5 Buddha images sitting in a row (Wat Pha Sorn Kaew) and the road itself is new and breathtaking. There are plenty of great hotels in Khau Kho, in Petchabun and great views in the morning and evening. This time of year you may even be fogged in in the morning. Route 21 is a great highway back to Bangkok for the return trip.

I have given you a like as I have done that route21 from Petchabun on my motorbike only last week, the 21 to Bangkok is a very good road until you bypass Saraburi, between road works and bad road surfaces in parts, but if you are driving a car, it may not be too bad.

Rayong

We've recently discovered Chantaburi and Chao Lao beach

Trat..we really like Central Trat...lovely quiet family beach place

Khao Yai

Khao kor is another recent find

Chaiyaphum and the area

Sukhothai/si Satchanalai

Kanchanaburi has lots to offer

A great trip is to go from Pitsanulok to Petchabun via Route 12. It is very scenic and there are many things to stop and view on the way. Such things as waterfalls, running the rapids in a rubber raft, a beautiful temple with 5 Buddha images sitting in a row (Wat Pha Sorn Kaew) and the road itself is new and breathtaking. There are plenty of great hotels in Khau Kho, in Petchabun and great views in the morning and evening. This time of year you may even be fogged in in the morning. Route 21 is a great highway back to Bangkok for the return trip.

I have given you a like as I have done that route21 from Petchabun on my motorbike only last week, the 21 to Bangkok is a very good road until you bypass Saraburi, between road works and bad road surfaces in parts, but if you are driving a car, it may not be too bad.

Think you need more than 3 days to do that trip justice but agreed there's lots to see and do

3 days is tight but ......

1) Asian highway to overnight for a Piss-and-a-look, then to Sukhothai then back to 113 overnight 1/2 way thru the mountains at kal kor leaving the last day to come back via Pretchbun on 21 until you get back on the main Sarburi rd to BKK

2) If the sunflowers are still in bloom - 21 up to Bung Samphan turn right on 225 (tricky road) to overnight in Chaiaphum ( no Hilton's there) consider seeing some rather boring rock formation 70kms to the north??? then 205 to overnight Korat after visiting Pe Mai ancient Khmer temples if time permits

Back to BKK, via Chok Chai farm (tour and a great hamburger) via Sarburi

The easy option ....

3) BKK to Korat stop at Chock Chai farm (2-3 hours) and then overnight in Korat , do the Panom Rung ancient Khmer temple then 2nd night in Korat then back via Khoa Yai national park, stay at Palio= $$$ (cheaper than a trip to Tuscany)

Somewhere between Udon Thani and Loei there's a dinosaur park which will have the kids transfixed - a lifesize animated Tyrannosaurus Rex is the highlight. Fairly remote though.

Khao Sok national park maybe a bit far for 3 days, but I love it. Stay in a tree house or riverside camping. Also can stay in a raft house on Chiaw Lan Lake, which you reach by boat the scenery is sublime.

"Have a Thai wife and three kids, 15,13 and 7."

Our kids are 13 and 11, and until about 3 years ago we used to go for a week at one place like Hua Hin or Rayong, but then we realised on one trip that they could amuse themselves on long trips and just about every holiday since has been a road trip all 4 of us lovedoing. Just love getting up everyday with a very rough idea of what to see on route to our day's destination and where to stay. Best roadtrip to date for all of us was home..sukhothai/si Satchanalai. .Tak..Mae Sot..mae sariang. .mae hong son..pai..chiang mai..lampang..sukhothai. .home (10 days but 15 would have been better).

Edited January 14, 201610 yr by Bredbury Blue

Take them camping in Doi Angkang.

The lowest temperature recorded is -3 °C in January.

Camping in Thailand?? They had better be prepared for all those mossies.

Mossies when the temperature goes below zero, I'm born above the arctic circle, where are you born?

A great trip is to go from Pitsanulok to Petchabun via Route 12. It is very scenic and there are many things to stop and view on the way. Such things as waterfalls, running the rapids in a rubber raft, a beautiful temple with 5 Buddha images sitting in a row (Wat Pha Sorn Kaew) and the road itself is new and breathtaking. There are plenty of great hotels in Khau Kho, in Petchabun and great views in the morning and evening. This time of year you may even be fogged in in the morning. Route 21 is a great highway back to Bangkok for the return trip.

Route 21 is indeed a good road. Very straight, well surfaced and quiet until Sarabiri. However it is also pretty boring with nothing much to see or visit. Just a way back to Bangkok. Assuming the OP will be traveling with his wife and children I don't think spending a three day break just driving for hours on end will be very rewarding unless his children like to sleep a lot through hours of driving.

Hua Hin was mentioned but for children Cha Am is so much better and children friendly. Lots of bikes for rent, nice beach , long fishing pear, great Wednesday market.

Alternatively the beaches around Rayong are very nice and only 3 hours away but not much of interest to children unless they are content with the nice beach.

Another poster mentioned Kanchanaburi. Good choice with lots to see and do. Caves to explore near town ( in temple grounds ) plus a great hot spring with dipping pools up past hellfire pass. Kids will have a great time exploring and only a couple of hour by car from Bangkok.

Try Bang Saen, not going to waste too much time travelling. Long beach with usual facilities. Promenade is well away from the road so ideal for kids to run around or do some cycling, plenty of bikes for hire.

There is an aquarium near the university, not far from the beach. If you have transport, monkey mountain is always a bit of entertainment for the kids.

Rayong

We've recently discovered Chantaburi and Chao Lao beach

Trat..we really like Central Trat...lovely quiet family beach place

Khao Yai

Khao kor is another recent find

Chaiyaphum and the area

Sukhothai/si Satchanalai

Kanchanaburi has lots to offer

I'm planning my first trip to Trad soon and am looking at staying at the Centara Chaan Talay resort in Trad. The place looks nice and has good reviews. It's a bit isolated...are their places to eat besides the resort within 15-20 min driving distance...any farang food places?

Rayong

We've recently discovered Chantaburi and Chao Lao beach

Trat..we really like Central Trat...lovely quiet family beach place

Khao Yai

Khao kor is another recent find

Chaiyaphum and the area

Sukhothai/si Satchanalai

Kanchanaburi has lots to offer

I'm planning my first trip to Trad soon and am looking at staying at the Centara Chaan Talay resort in Trad. The place looks nice and has good reviews. It's a bit isolated...are their places to eat besides the resort within 15-20 min driving distance...any farang food places?

We've stayed there 6 times. Love it. Food (thai n farlang) in the restaurant is good but it is a bit isolated (one of the attractions for us) and there's hardly any restaurants to eat out at. Klongyai is 20 minutes away and there's some restaurants and coffee shops we use but usually we'll eat in the hotel. Give the hotel ago, I'd be amazed if you don't like it and it's not expensive [TIP: beautiful beach but it has sandflies which bite and itch/weep for days...mosi spray your legs if walking on the beach not swimming).