Schools and education for expat children
International, bilingual and Thai school options, realistic fees, admissions timing and what a student visa covers.
The essentials
- International school fees range from roughly 150,000 THB a year at the budget end to over 900,000 THB at the top Bangkok schools.
- Budget for one-off application, enrolment and deposit fees on top of tuition; these can add 100,000-300,000 THB in year one.
- Main curricula are British (IGCSE/A-Level), American (AP), and IB. Most schools are accredited by CIS, WASC or the IBO.
- Popular schools have waiting lists; apply nine to twelve months ahead for August entry.
- A child enrolled full time can hold a Non-Immigrant ED visa, and one parent can usually obtain a dependant visa on that basis.
The three tiers
Full international schools teach entirely in English on a foreign curriculum, follow a Western school year and charge accordingly. Bilingual schools teach part of the day in Thai and part in English at roughly a third of the price. Thai private and government schools are far cheaper but teach in Thai, which works well for younger children and rarely for teenagers arriving mid-education.
What it actually costs
Tuition is only part of it. Application fees of 5,000-25,000 THB are non-refundable, enrolment or capital fees of 50,000-250,000 THB are often charged once, and a refundable deposit of one term is common. Buses, uniforms, lunches, devices and trips add 40,000-100,000 THB a year.
| Tier | Annual tuition (per child) | Typical cities |
|---|---|---|
| Budget international | 150,000-350,000 THB | Chiang Mai, Pattaya, outer Bangkok |
| Mid international | 400,000-650,000 THB | Bangkok, Phuket |
| Premium international | 700,000-1,000,000+ THB | Central Bangkok |
| Bilingual | 80,000-200,000 THB | All major cities |
Admissions
Most schools assess English proficiency and maths, and interview the child. Bring previous school reports for the last two years, immunisation records, passports and birth certificates. Entry outside August is possible but limits your choice.
Ask directly about staff turnover, the proportion of Thai to foreign students, university destinations and whether the accreditation is current.
Visas for students and parents
A school enrolled child can be sponsored for a Non-Immigrant ED visa, extended annually within Thailand. One parent typically obtains a dependant extension on the same enrolment. Confirm with the school registrar that they issue the supporting letters, as not every school does.
Official sources
Everything above is written from these. Rules change without notice, so check the relevant one before you book, pay or travel.
This page was last checked against those sources on 31 July 2026. Spotted something out of date? and we'll re-check it.