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Education in Bangkok is a high priority for expats with children. While some public schools in Bangkok are excellent, due to varying quality, others are overcrowded and internationally uncompetitive. There is also a host of good private schools in Bangkok for expat parents to consider enrolling their children in.
International schools in Bangkok offer expat parents everything they would expect of a good school, including top-notch amenities, a wide selection of extracurricular activities, and highly qualified teachers. Fees at these schools can be high, however.
Public schools in Bangkok
Bangkok is home to most of the country’s best public schools, many of which are associated with top universities that use the schools to train student teachers. Admission to these schools can be competitive, so it’s best to apply well ahead of time. Teaching in most public schools is entirely in Thai, which can be a dealbreaker for some parents.
Public education in Bangkok is free for Thai nationals for 15 years – from pre-primary through upper secondary. Compulsory schooling ends at age 15, but tuition remains free beyond this point. Foreign nationals can enrol in public schools but do not qualify for free tuition. There are fees, although they are well below private and international school rates. All families must cover books, stationery, and uniforms.
International Demonstration Schools
Expat families seeking global schooling in the public system should consider International Demonstration Schools, such as MUIDS (Mahidol University) and KMIDS (King Mongkut’s). These schools teach American curricula and have separate admissions tracks for international students. Fees are similar to what you'd pay at a low- or mid-cost private international school.
Education and Schools in Thailand
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Private schools in Bangkok
Private schools in Bangkok follow the Thai national curriculum but charge fees. This translates into smaller class sizes and better facilities than most public schools can offer. The majority teach primarily in Thai, so these schools suit expat families who are either bilingual or committed to long-term life in Thailand.
Many of Bangkok's private schools were founded by Christian missionaries and carry a faith-based ethos, while others are university-affiliated demonstration schools, known locally as satit schools, which tend to carry a strong academic reputation and competitive admissions.
Private bilingual schools, which teach core subjects in both Thai and English, are worth a closer look for families who want something between the local and international systems.
English Programme schools in Bangkok
The English Programme (EP) is a government initiative offered by several public and private schools. In an EP class, roughly half to two-thirds of subjects are taught in English by teachers hired from abroad. Thai language, history, civics, and scouts are taught in Thai to preserve Thai cultural heritage. Some schools have more comprehensive EPs than others – classes may be held in a small section of a Thai-speaking school or larger programmes may be set in entirely separate buildings.
Both public and private schools with EPs charge Thai nationals and expats alike for these classes. The quality of EPs varies, so parents are encouraged to do thorough research and contact the university associated with a particular school to verify its cooperation with the school. Bear in mind that even English-medium classes often retain Thai pedagogical methods, with more of an emphasis on rote memorisation over critical inquiry than Western expats may be used to.
For families who plan to live in Thailand long term, EP schools may be the best option. Your kids can develop closer links to Thai culture and society while still having access to a bilingual education.
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International schools in Bangkok
International schools in Bangkok follow the curriculum of other countries, the most popular being the British and American systems. The vast majority of Bangkok’s international schools require prospective students to write entrance tests and undergo a rigorous application process due to the limited number of places they offer.
The International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) lists member schools, although ‘Candidate Members’ may still be working toward full accreditation. Parents often prioritise schools accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) or WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges).
The best international schools in Bangkok can be extremely costly, depending on the age of the child, and waiting lists for early years often stretch one to two years. Top-tier schools may also ask for a debenture (a refundable deposit that can reach into the hundreds of thousands of baht) to secure priority placement.
Best International Schools in Bangkok
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Special educational needs in Bangkok
By law, learners with special educational needs in Bangkok qualify for state assistance, but this is rarely enforced in practice. This is largely due to the fact that inclusive education was only legislated in 2008. In the public system, special-education teachers are scarce despite there being a demand for them, and resources are limited, if available at all.
Many international schools offer support for special needs, but this often comes at an additional price – ‘shadow teacher’ fees on top of standard tuition can significantly increase costs. The level of support varies considerably.
Expat parents often recommend St. Andrews (with its STARS and Embracing Differences programmes for primary and secondary learners respectively) and International Pioneers School for their inclusive approach. The Village, a specialist centre, works to reintegrate students into mainstream schools and is well suited to children who require more intensive support.
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Tutors in Bangkok
The staggering private tuition industry in Thailand emerged from the necessity to prepare students for the fiercely competitive university admissions exams. The industry has seen considerable growth in response to the high demand for private tuition.
Local tutors can be a helpful resource for local and expat families. They can assist with problem subjects and can support students in developing sound study strategies and essay-writing skills. For expat families, tutors are most commonly sought for Thai language lessons, exam preparation (IB, IGCSE, SAT) and help with adapting to a new curriculum.