Khao Lak in Thailand is the ideal mix of beach days and jungle experiences

IT’S 50/50 whether my 16 month old, Raffy, will begin peeling the banana to consume it himself or really feed it to Nam-neung, the elephant.

Typically he’ll battle anybody and anything for one, however having actually viewed the remainder of the household feeding bananas to our extremely unique client, he provides us a wry smile prior to handing it over to be promptly caught by Nam-neung’s trunk and tossed into her mouth.

Playing zookeeper

We’re at Phang Nga Elephant Park, a sanctuary for these incredible animals, 50 minutes’ drive from Khao Lak.

We had actually very first viewed the keepers finish their medical checks (making certain the elephants’ feet are injury-free and their teeth and gums are healthy), all while having our very first strokes of the day.

After feeding time, we get rejuvenating lychee sodas, prior to Poppy, 3, and Raffy (with aid from father Andy) begin painting 2 ceramic elephant magnets.

It’s a charming minute to show prior to we toss on our swim equipment to assist bath and scrub Nam-neung in the swimming pool.

Our efforts are rewarded with a scrumptious lunch of Thai green curry, sweet and sour chicken, veggie spring rolls and a fruit plate– which is definitely an upgrade from feeding the goats at our regional farm back house.

The Household Elephant Experience expenses ₤ 220 for 2 grownups and 2 kids under 6, and consists of transfers from Khao Lak (Phangngaelephantpark.com)

When I recommended Thailand as our very first huge household experience, Andy exclaimed: “Are you mad?” Now we’re here, he’s beginning to understand the 15-hour flight with 2 little kids deserved it.

Beachside Avani+ Khao Lak, simply over an hour’s drive from Phuket airport, opened in 2015 with slick, contemporary spaces and B&B from a bargainous ₤ 64 a night.

It’s extremely family-friendly– there’s a climbing up wall and skate park next door to the kids’ club– and Raffy likes having fun with the big chess pieces on the golden sands, prior to cheating at cornhole and promptly striking the beach swings.

Paddleboarding and kayaking are likewise available, and we have a good time looking for beach crabs, too.

There are trendy swimming pools and swim-up spaces, plus personal swimming pool suites for those wishing to actually treat themselves.

However the splash park total with 2 flumes was, unsurprisingly, the winner with our youngsters.

Even in the odd rainstorm, it’s warm enough to remain sprinkling about, although having a Thai massage, ₤ 43 for 60 minutes, to the noise of a thunderstorm in the hidden-away health club is a welcome retreat from the splash-park screeches.

Cruise away

While I ‘d have liked to have actually taken a speedboat to the white-sand paradise of the Similan Islands, limiting a young child for the 1 1/4- hour journey would not be enjoyable.

Rather, we hop aboard a personal longboat to Koh Pah island.

It’s 40 minutes to a deserted sandbank with unbelievable shells for Poppy to gather and shallows for Raffy to paddle in, all while our guide unloads cushions and tiffin tins packed with seafood, spinach with egg, rice and the sweetest pineapple and watermelon.

Poppy even attempts snorkelling for the very first time, along with a handful of Nemo fish.

A personal half-day trip expenses ₤ 153 for 4 individuals (Khaolakwonderlandtours.com).

Dining establishment and culinary school Nai Mueang is close to the mangroves, where you can take an assisted bamboo-rafting trip.

Flagged by the Michelin Guide, it’s got a swing, table football and a classic tuk-tuk to get on to keep kids entertained, and is surrounded by the rich herbs and veggies they prepare with.

The coconut milk soup with lotus root, succulent Phuket pork stew, Thai fried crab omelette and chicken with cashews are specific winners, and our enormous lunch is outstanding worth at less than ₤ 25.

Tubs of scrumptious Day ice cream in Thai tea and the best mint choc chip we have actually tasted make the ideal pud.

Broaching ice cream, Garang coffee shop at neighboring Bangsak beach dishes out a range of eye-popping sundaes.

Sweet fish sauce flavour is a regional favorite, however an obtained taste, so I tuck into the jaggery syrup mix, made from palm tree sap, then buy the vanilla caramel macadamia choux bun, ₤ 2.25.

It took them 10 efforts to ideal– and kid was it worth it (Garangicecream.com).

Market price

At the hotel, while the breakfast spread consists of a doughnut wall and there are good Thai and Indian meals at Aspects dining establishment, our preferred location to consume is The Beach Home, for its tuna tataki with mango salsa and beef cheeks with sweet potato mash, plus slicker service.

Another banquet is available in the Old Town of Takua Pa, 35 minutes’ drive away.

On Sunday afternoons, the primary street changes into a dynamic market with the fragrance of grilled meat filling the air.

Snacks cost about 80p, and we get sizzling coconut pancakes and paprika popcorn prior to getting kids’ Tee shirts for ₤ 2.50 each.

Simply outdoors quite Kopi Kuapa coffee shop, a school band plays conventional music with a kid studiously striking a xylophone (ranat) in the shape of a gold boat.

We pop inside for a punchy orange juice Americano and kiwi sodas, along with 25p treats of rice and chutney balls and coconut mochi, and I can’t assist wanting that this was my regional haunt.

As Poppy drinks her soda, I believe she feels the exact same …