Cookery lessonsThai cuisine is legendary and despite thecomplexity of fresh, delicate flavours manydishes are easy to create. For older childrenand teenagers, a cookery lesson can be a greatway to bring something back from your timein Thailand. Lessons are conducted in Englishand can involve a trip to the local market tochoose ingredients.Peddling and paddling in Sri LannaNational ParkThere are some great cycling opportunitiesthroughout Thailand such as in Sukhothai(page 54) and even in the lesser-visited partsof Bangkok. The Sri Lanna National Park nearChiang Mai is within easy reach of the city and offers good cycling routes on flat terrain.The park doesn't attract many visitors, so theroads are quiet and safe. Follow this withkayaking on a tranquil lake, surrounded bystunning scenery.Ecolodges and homestaysA stay in a local community or rustic lodge isan insightful and rewarding experience forchildren and adults alike, providing anopportunity for more interaction with a placeand its people than a conventional hotel. The comfortable Lisu Lodge near Chiang Maiis staffed by members of the Lisu tribe andactivities here include ox cart riding, cycling,and rafting as well as learning about the Lisupeople and their distinctive culture. LanjiaLodge (page 60) offers a similar experience.For the more adventurous, staying with a localfamily in basic accommodation is an authenticand engaging encounter. The Thais are gentle,community-focused people who really enjoylearning more about your family and how yourday to day life compares with their own.We also offer a pen pal exchange in whichyour children can communicate with schoolchildren in Chiang Mai before they arrive inThailand. When you arrive in Chiang Mai, yourchildren will have the opportunity to visit theirpen pal in their local village and say hello inperson. This is a great initiative to foster cross-cultural communication and learn about howchildren live in other parts of the world.Beach fun and relaxationThere is a tremendous choice of beach resorts in Thailand to suit all budgets andrequirements. We can recommend eleganthavens on many beautiful tropical islandswhere families can stay in villas with privatepools, or resorts with children's clubs andbabysitting services, so parents can enjoy alittle time to themselves.It is hard to imagine a more family-friendlydestination than Thailand. Family traditions aredeeply revered in the country and the Thaishave a natural affinity with children. Here wepresent a few of our favourite family activities.ElephantsElephants are nature's gentle giants and there is nowhere better to see them than inThailand where they have long been reveredas symbols of peace. A number of well runcamps and conservation centres are set up for visitors keen to interact with thesemagnificent animals. Experiences can betailored to suit all ages and range from simplejungle treks on elephant back to a day spentwashing, feeding and playing with them, tothree days learning how to be a mahout(elephant handler).BangkokBangkok is a vibrant and hectic city and can atfirst be a little overwhelming. Our unique citysafari is a wonderfully fun way to explore thecapital, which makes use of the excellentpublic transport system to see the major sitesaccompanied by a guide. Children of all agescan enjoy buying tickets and riding the modernand efficient skytrain, whizzing along the klongs(canals) by river taxi and traversing the roadsby tuk-tuk. Visiting sites as diverse as theGrand Palace and Wat Pho, as well as thelarge shiny shopping malls (home to one ofthe largest aquariums in Southeast Asia), thistour introduces you to the magic of Bangkok.Family travel in Thailandwww.audleytravel.com/thailand ?01993 838 115 ?Thailand59Lampang elephant sanctuaryLahu and H'mong musicians, Lanjia Lodge

ANANTARARESORTANDSPA,GOLDENTRIANGLEThis fantastic resort has a spectacular hilltoplocation about an hour's drive from Chiang Raiairport, overlooking the Ruak and Mekong Riversand the borders of Burma and Laos. Terraced in65 hectares of tropical gardens, the resort has its own elephant conservation centre, whereguests can learn how to relate to these creatureson an innovative and exciting mahout course.Other activities include easy treks into thesurrounding hills, a Thai cooking school and a spa.Accommodation is in 77 guest rooms and suites,and there is a choice of restaurants, a pool andbar. The Anantara is ideal as a rural retreat or fora short stopover before continuing your trip intoLaos by river or Burma by land.LANJIALODGE, CHIANGKHONGLanjia Lodge is an eco-friendly, community-basedlodge in northern Thailand with stunning viewsover the Mekong and into Laos. It has been built in a traditional village style within a H'mongand Lahu community. Each of the four guesthouses have four bedrooms with en suite facilities and an authentic H'mong design. Guestsof Lanjia, which means 'peaceful' in the H'monglanguage, can discover one of Thailand's mostprogressive hilltribe cultures. The lodge offers farmore than bed and breakfast and guests canparticipate in a full range of activities includingtrekking, cycling, birdwatching and handicrafts. It is first class example of how tourism can play a positive role in the preservation of ancientcultures. A percentage of revenue from guests'stays is used to support community projects toimprove living conditions for the hilltribes. Theoverriding philosophy of Lanjia Lodge is of avisible, genuine and sustainable interactionbetween guests and villagers.The Golden TriangleIn contrast to busy Chiang Mai, the GoldenTriangle, where the Ruak and Mekong riversconverge, is serene and picturesque with majesticmountains and colourful hill tribes. Stretching forthousands of square miles, the region extendsdeep into the distant valleys of northern Thailand,Burma and Laos. Previously at the heart of theopium industry, the town of Chiang Rai has takenon a new role as the main gateway town for thetiny villages scattered around the area. From hereyou can visit the frontier towns of Laos or Burmaor begin a more in-depth exploration ofIndochina by travelling down the Mekong Riverinto Laos.60Ruak River, Golden TriangleMahout course, Anantara, Golden TriangleLanjia Lodge, Chiang KhongLobby at dusk, Anantara, Golden Triangle