If your family craves thrills, spills, and chills, then Thailand is the ultimate holiday ride. No matter where your journey carries you, a fun palace is just round the corner. Ride the looping tubes to a super soaking at Siam Park, get a spine-tingling fright at Phuket's Horror House, or marvel at the magical mix of classical myths and state-of-the-art special effects at the carnival extravaganza of Phuket FantaSea!
Aside from the booty of well-endowed national and private museums, the country's huge assortment of fantastic recreational sites often combines valuable educational tools for you and your kids to learn more about local culture, history, and the array of animal life in the kingdom. If unable to see all of the country's architectural wonders in one trip, then enjoy a splendid condensed tour of Thailand's artistry at Mueang
 
Boran Ancient City on the outskirts of the capital. Top craftsmen maintain the quaint, intricate scale replicas of important national buildings and landmarks within an expansive pretty open park shaped like Thailand. Just a stone's throw from the Ancient City, gawk in awe as a female handler squeezes her head between the gaping jaws of monster crocodiles at Samut Prakan's famous Crocodile Farm, where you can also witness the world's longest crocodile and even watch the critters wrestling.

Intimate encounters with a variety of other exceptional beasts can be had at the numerous other zoos and farms that line the country. See majestic Bengali tigers breed in captivity at the world's largest tiger farm at Sri Racha, costumed elephants re-enact famous battles at Samphan Elephant Ground, or swim with cavorting dolphins at Pattaya's Sanctuary of Truth.

While the numerous gleaming shopping malls that spruce Bangkok offer hours of entertainment in their own right, for a more traditional slice of local shopping culture, bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an unforgettable throwback to Thailand's old riverside communities. Village traders donning conical straw hats paddle along the winding canals selling a harvest of fresh produce from narrow wooden boats.

For other authentic Asian markets, explore the narrow lanes teeming with antiques, collectibles, and curious bric-a-brac within the humongous Chatuchak Weekend Market, or for indigenous northern crafts, weave your way through at Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar.