International schools in Thailand soar as local schools shrink

While Thailand faces a crisis with its plummeting birth rate and shrinking student numbers, international schools are thriving, growing by an average of 13% annually. In stark contrast to the decline in Thai public and private school enrolments, the demand for international education is skyrocketing.

According to a study by Kasikorn Research Centre, international school enrolments surged by 10.2% last year, despite an overall decrease in Thai student numbers. This boom is partly driven by foreign executives, whose numbers have increased by 0.6% each year over the past decade.

However, it’s not just the expat community boosting these schools. Thai parents, lured by regularly updated international curricula and rising income levels, are opting for these prestigious institutions. The number of people with assets over US$1 million (around 33 million baht) is predicted to jump by 24% between 2023 and 2028, further supporting this trend.

Meanwhile, Thai schools are feeling the heat. Since 2012, the number of schools has dropped by 6.6%, with an additional 0.5% decline last year alone. Government schools are closing at a rate of 0.6% annually, and private institutions are faring worse, with a 0.7% drop per year.

In response to the rising competition in Bangkok’s packed market, international school operators are branching out to regions like Chiang Mai, Rayong, and Phuket. The market is projected to hit 87 billion baht this year but tuition fees remain a challenge.

The average annual cost for international school tuition is a staggering 764,484 baht, just shy of the 1.15 million baht for New Zealand boarding schools.

To add to the competition, many Thai private schools are updating their curricula, offering English and Chinese programmes, further shaking up the international education landscape, reported The Nation.

In related news, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is set to introduce strategies designed to encourage artificial insemination and support those who wish to become parents, encompassing the LGBTQ community as well. The drive is part of an initiative to increase the country’s birth rate.