Vol. 08 - Nov 2025

Landing in a new city can be chaotic - luggage, heat, and traffic everywhere…

But with Welcome Pickups, arriving in Thailand feels easy.

Their local drivers greet you right at the airport, help with your bags, and drive you safely to your hotel - always with a smile. You can even pre-book online, track your driver, and know your price upfront.

Whether you’re heading from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok Riverside or taking a quick transfer to Asiatique, Welcome Pickups is our go-to for a smooth, stress-free start.

Safe, simple, and friendly - just how travel should feel.

👉 Book your airport or hotel transfer with Welcome Pickups.

This week’s edition was originally planned to be about one of Bangkok’s most beautiful light festivals - but after the recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, celebrations around the city have been postponed as the country enters a period of mourning.

Out of respect, we decided to change focus and write about something many of you have asked us about instead:

How to spend a fun, easy day in Bangkok with kids.

It turned out to be one of our favorite weekends so far - a mix of cute animals and riverside adventures. From Little Zoo Café to Asiatique The Riverfront, this is a side of Bangkok that families will love.

Hope you enjoy this week’s family-friendly postcard from Thailand,
Ploy & Jochem ❤️

A travel story

Our day started in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district at Little Zoo Café (On Nut Road), at one of the most fun family cafés in the city. It’s exactly what the name says: part café, part miniature zoo.

The setup is surprisingly calm. There’s nice music playing and the smell of fresh coffee in the air - all while capybaras chill by their little pool, goats wait to be petted, and tiny dogs wander around like regular guests.

Moana was in heaven (she’s a huge animal friend). She got to feed the capybara, pet the goats, and even held an adorable ‘welsh corgi’ dog. The staff were kind and made sure everyone handled the animals gently. Entry already includes a drink, a cookie, socks, and animal feed, depending on the combo you choose. You order your drink (iced matcha, Thai tea, or a delicious barista created cappuccino), pick a cookie from the counter (Gavinson soft cookies, super delicious!), and sit down for a few minutes of pure joy.

Later in the afternoon, we crossed town to Asiatique The Riverfront - Bangkok’s riverside landmark. The place looks like an old dockyard turned outdoor village: wooden façades, nice green vegetation and a boardwalk along the Chao Phraya River.

It’s the kind of spot where you can do everything in one place: shop for souvenirs, relax at a spa, take photos by the Ferris wheel, or join a dinner cruise right from the pier.

New and truly impressive is Jurassic World ‘The Experience’. This indoor park has the official Jurassic Park license and is built to feel like you’ve stepped straight into the film complete with roaring dinosaurs, jungle fog, and dramatic lighting.

We ended the night with Thai food by the water, live music playing in the background. The perfect way to wrap up an easy, joyful day in Bangkok.

An affordable riverside option that doesn’t compromise on comfort. With a big outdoor pool, green garden, and rooms overlooking the Chao Phraya River, it suits families wanting great value. Just a short ride to Asiatique The Riverfront and plenty of cafés nearby.

👉 Book your stay at Montien Riverside Hotel Bangkok.

For a full-on luxury family stay, this is hard to beat. Set in lush gardens by the river, with dedicated kids’ club and splash zones, quiet Thai-style villas, and seamless access to Asiatique via shuttle. Ideal for kids and adults alike who want space, comfort and those little extras.

👉 Book your stay at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Use it anywhere to show your appreciation for an experience or a moment that made you happy - and you’ll always get a smile in return.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

If you liked this week’s edition, here’s how we’d spend a day in Bangkok with Kids. We made sure it’s easy and fun for them, but also for us (the adults:)

• 9:30 am : Little Zoo Café (On Nut)

Start your morning at Little Zoo Café. Bangkok’s most adorable café where kids can meet capybaras, goats, turtles and tiny dogs while you enjoy your coffee. Arrive early to avoid crowds and get plenty of time with the animals.

• 12:30 pm : Playtime & Lunch nearby

Grab a local lunch near On Nut (you’ll find great Thai stalls and family-friendly food courts in the area), then head toward the river for your afternoon adventure.

• 15:30 am : Asiatique The Riverfront

Arrive just as the sun softens and the breeze picks up. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, stop for a snack or ice cream and enjoy the view of the Chao Phraya river.

• 5:00 pm : Jurassic World: The Experience

Step into a life-size movie world at Asiatique’s newest indoor attraction. The dinosaurs move, roar, and make even adults feel like they’re walking through Isla Nublar. Kids will love every second, and it’s air-conditioned (a big bonus in Bangkok).

• 7:00 pm : Dinner at Happy Fish (Riverside)

Head straight to Happy Fish for dinner with river views, live music, and a relaxed family vibe. Order pineapple fried rice, or Pad Thai, and watch the boats drift past as the city lights up.

• 8:00 pm : Ferris Wheel & Night Walk

End the day with a ride on the Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel for sweeping views over the Chao Phraya River. Afterwards, take a short evening walk through the market for souvenirs, before heading home - tired, happy, and a little amazed by how family-friendly Bangkok can be.

• Som Tam Thai (ส้มตำไทย) : Classic papaya salad: spicy, tangy, refreshing. This is our go-to favorite!

• Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง) : Grilled pork skewers (served with sticky rice) you can grab right by the vendors at Asiatique’s gates.

• Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง) : Spicy shrimp soup with lemongrass and lime.

• Khao Pad Sapparod (ข้าวผัดสับปะรด) : Pineapple fried rice (served in a pineapple shell!) with pork floss, raisins, cashew nuts, and some chicken or seafood - sweet, savory, and a hit with kids. 🍍

• Happy Fish – Asiatique The Riverfront : Casual riverside dining with live music, open-air seating, and plenty of space for kids to move around. Great food, great vibe, and the river breeze makes it even better.

• ICONSIAM Sky Park : Just a short drive away, this hidden spot offers panoramic views of both the river and Bangkok’s skyline. Free to enter and great for a quick photo stop at sunset

• 💡 TIP: Take the Boat Across the River (from Asiatique) : Right from Asiatique’s pier, you can hop on a local ferry across the Chao Phraya. A quick five-minute ride that’s fun for kids and offers a whole new view of Bangkok’s skyline. From the other side, you can walk to ICONSIAM, browse the mall’s open-air terrace, or just enjoy the city from the water.

• Wat Yannawa (The Boat Temple) : Just upriver from Asiatique, this temple shaped like a traditional ship is a fun mix of culture and curiosity. Kids love climbing up its decks while adults take in peaceful river views and golden spires.

• 🔥 The Never Ending Summer – Charoen Krung 28 : A favorite for locals in-the-know. Modern Thai cuisine served in a converted warehouse by the river. Perfect for couples or families wanting something special (We LOVE it here!)

• Lhong 1919 : A beautifully restored riverside mansion complex with art shops, traditional shrines, and heritage cafés. Calm, cultural, and far less crowded than most tourist spots. This place is also easiest to reach by boat, as it’s next to Iconsiam.

• House No. 1 (Bangkok Dock Co. Heritage Building) : Right beside Asiatique, this little-known 19th-century building has been beautifully restored. It was the former manager’s house of the old dock company, tucked away at the entrance near Warehouse 1. Few visitors ever notice it, yet it’s one of the most historic structures on-site.

Every week we drop new pins onto our Local Secrets Map - special spots you won’t always find in the guidebooks. Street stalls tucked down alleys, rooftop bars only locals know, temples that feel like they belong to you alone.

This map is just for Insiders, and it grows with every edition - a living guide that keeps unlocking Thailand, piece by piece.

👉 Tap the link on your smart phone or computer, and choose “Open in Google Maps” for the full interactive experience! 🌏

That’s this week’s adventure. Next week we’ll follow the lights up a golden hill, for one of Thailand’s most beautiful celebrations ✨

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Thai List. If you did, please share the love 💕 by inviting your friends and family to join us. Each week we uncover local secrets, hidden escapes, and the best food and drinks Thailand has to offer. Don’t miss out on the journey.

Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand.