International schools in Thailand: fees, regions and how to choose
Choose your region
Thailand has one of the deepest international-school markets in Asia: ISAT alone represents 200 international schools, from names with British public-school heritage to not-for-profit IB world schools and solid value options at a third of the flagship price. Annual tuition runs from about 200,000 THB to more than 1.25 million, and where you live shapes the choice as much as what you can spend. This section compiles what the schools actually charge, from their own published fee schedules, and organises the decision the way families actually make it: region first, then money, then curriculum.
- Bangkok
International schools in Bangkok
The deepest market and the biggest names: Patana, Shrewsbury, Harrow, ISB, NIST and a dozen more. Tuition 332,000 to 1,283,500 THB.
- Eastern Seaboard
Pattaya & the Eastern Seaboard
Two clusters serving Pattaya families and the industrial corridor, with three boarding schools. Tuition from about 226,000 to 999,000 THB.
- Phuket
International schools in Phuket
A complete island market: BISP, UWC Thailand, and value options from 200,000 THB.
- Chiang Mai
International schools in Chiang Mai
The lowest top-end fees of the four regions, a full-IB boarding school, and the north’s lifestyle. From about 290,000 to 814,000 THB.
- Money
School fees explained
The full cost picture: tuition by region, the entry-fee stacks that reach 455,000 THB before day one, and the discounts that are real.
- Boarding
Boarding schools
Ten schools board, from 285,000 THB a year on top of tuition. Every option compared.
- Process
Admissions
The four steps, the timing, and the withdrawal rules you sign on entry.
- Curriculum
British, American or IB
What the choice really decides, and the transfer rule every relocating family should know.
- The middle path
Bilingual schools
Recognised curricula with substantial Thai teaching, at half to two-thirds of international fees.
- SEN
Special educational needs
What mainstream schools charge for support, the questions to ask, and Bangkok’s specialist providers.
The four regions at a glance
| Region | Tuition range (THB/yr) | Boarding schools | Distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | ~332,000 – 1,283,500 | 3 | Biggest names, biggest waiting lists |
| Eastern Seaboard | ~226,000 – ~999,000 | 3 | Mid-year entry genuinely possible |
| Phuket | 200,000 – 982,700 | 2 | Complete market on an island |
| Chiang Mai | ~290,000 – 814,000 | 1+ | Top-end a third below Bangkok |
How to choose, in the order that works
Region first, because Bangkok traffic and island commutes decide daily life more than any prospectus. Money second, counting all three layers, not just tuition. Curriculum third: British, American or IB decides university routes and how easily a child transfers mid-education, and matters far less for quality than schools imply. Then visit, with a checklist: every regional guide carries the tour questions that expose what brochures do not, from real class sizes to compulsory English-support fees to what happens to your deposit.
Two structural things worth knowing before you start. Entry years, meaning Nursery, Year 1, Year 7 and Year 12, have the most places, and top-tier waiting lists are real, so apply a year ahead where you can. And if your child may change systems, do it before about age 14; after IGCSE choices are made, switching usually costs a year.
Not sure where to start? Tell us your area, budget and your child’s age, and we will connect you with schools that actually fit, free and without obligation. Get matched.
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FAQ
How many international schools does Thailand have?
ISAT, the main association, represents 200 international schools nationwide. Bangkok holds the largest share, with established markets in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
How much does international school cost in Thailand?
From about 200,000 THB a year for early years at value schools to 1,283,500 THB for sixth form at Bangkok's most expensive, plus one-time entry fees and extras. See the fees guide.
Which curriculum should we choose?
The one that matches where your child will study next. British leads to IGCSE and A-levels, American to GPA and AP, and the IB is the most portable when the next country is unknown.
Do Thai international schools have boarding?
Ten schools across the four regions board, from 285,000 THB a year on top of tuition. The boarding guide compares them all.
When should we apply?
Twelve months ahead for the famous Bangkok schools; elsewhere two terms ahead is usually enough, and mid-year entry is often possible outside the capital.