| Risk | Mitigation | |------|-------------| | Heat exhaustion | Mandatory midday break in AC; wet cooling towels | | Stomach bug | Probiotics before trip; only bottled water for brushing teeth | | Mosquitoes | DEET-free repellent for kids (soybean oil-based); long sleeves at dusk | | Drowning | Flotation vests for pools; never leave child unattended near water |

Thailand's summer season, which typically runs from March to May, is characterized by hot weather and occasional rain showers. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable vacation, it's essential to adopt a suitable lifestyle. Here are some tips:

Leave the iPad in the safe. Teach your child to play "I Spy" on the Chao Phraya River ferry. Count the golden chedis (stupas) from the window. The boredom threshold is where creativity lives.

The day begins early — not by alarm, but by sunlight filtering through sheer curtains and the distant call of a noodle vendor’s cart. Our child wakes up gently, still in pajamas, and pads out to our small balcony overlooking a soi (lane) lined with potted orchids and a sleeping cat.