International schools in Bangkok
Choosing an international school in Bangkok. What to compare.
Bangkok has a lot of international schools, and many families narrow the list the same way: curriculum first, then the commute, then the real cost once you add everything that isn’t tuition. The rest comes from open houses and from talking to parents whose kids are already there. This guide goes through each step.
Start with the curriculum, not the ranking
You’ll mostly see three tracks. British schools follow the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A Levels. American schools run a US-style program, usually with AP courses at the top end. IB schools use the International Baccalaureate from the early years through the Diploma. There are also French, German, Japanese, Singaporean and bilingual Thai-English schools, among others.
Some examples in and around Bangkok, by curriculum. British: Harrow International School Bangkok, Shrewsbury International School Bangkok and King’s College International School Bangkok. American: International School Bangkok (ISB), Berkeley International School and BASIS International School Bangkok. IB: NIST International School, KIS International School and Concordian International School. Each school’s own website sets out its programs in full.
The right track depends on where you might live next. If a move back to the UK is likely, a British school keeps things simple. If you don’t know where you’ll be in five years, IB is a common choice because it’s recognized in many countries. If you plan to stay, a bilingual school might matter more than any of it. Our guide to raising a bilingual kid in Thailand goes into that choice.
Check the basics before you fall for a campus
International schools in Thailand are private schools licensed through the Office of the Private Education Commission. Most established schools also hold outside accreditation, often from bodies like CIS or WASC, and many belong to the International Schools Association of Thailand, which publishes its member list. None of this tells you whether your child will be happy there. It does tell you the school has been looked at by someone other than its own marketing team, so ask about it on the tour.
The commute decides more than you think
Bangkok traffic makes the commute a bigger factor than many families expect. A school that’s 90 minutes away in the rain makes for a long day for a young child. Plenty of families pick the school first and then rent close to it. If you’re still house hunting, map the drive at 7am on a weekday before you sign anything.
Tuition is only part of the bill
Fee sheets vary a lot, and the headline number rarely covers everything. When you compare schools, ask for the full list:
- Application and assessment fees
- Enrollment or registration fees
- A debenture or capital levy, which some schools charge
- The school bus, lunches, uniforms, trips and after-school activities
- Whether any of it is refundable if you leave early
If your employer pays tuition, check what the package covers. Some cover tuition only.
Waitlists, timelines and open houses
Popular year groups fill up, and the entry points everyone wants (nursery, reception or kindergarten, and the start of secondary) go fastest. Most international schools here follow a year that starts in August, though not all of them, so check each school’s calendar. If you’re moving mid-year, ask about waitlists before you book the flights.
Go to the open house, then book a private tour on a normal school day if you can. Watch the kids at pickup. Ask a teacher how long they’ve been there.
Talking to current parents
A school directory can tell you the curriculum and the fee band. It can’t tell you how a school handled a shy kid in their first month, what the parent chat is like, or whether the bus really leaves at 6:15. Current parents can. Ask admissions to connect you with one, talk to families at the open house, or ask in a local parent group. In The Village, these questions go to the Schools & Education group.
If your kids are younger, the preschool three days a week story is a good read on how one family picked a Reggio Emilia preschool. And if you’re new to the city, the map of mom groups in Bangkok shows where school parents tend to find each other.
Try the groups
Ask the parents who are already there.
Join free for 14 days and you’re added to every topic group, including Schools & Education. Search for the school you’re looking at, or ask about it. Cancel any time.
Join The VillageKeep reading from The Village
- Three days a week of preschool, all the way throughWhy we picked a Reggio Emilia preschool in Bangkok and kept it part-time, three days a week, the whole way through.
- Toddler weekends in Bangkok: what we actually do with our three-year-oldOne Bangkok mom on what actually works for a Saturday with a small kid. Real places, real bag, real nap strategy.
- Indoor playgrounds in Bangkok where I can actually get work doneThe three Bangkok kids cafés where I can open my laptop and still keep an eye on my son the whole time.
- Mom groups in Bangkok. Where English-speaking moms meet
- English-speaking moms in Thailand. Where the community lives
- Raising bilingual kids in Thailand. A practical guide
- Postpartum support in Thailand. Doulas and lactation help
- Finding a nanny in Bangkok. What other moms check
- Having a baby in Bangkok as an expat. A practical guide
- Playdates in Bangkok. How moms here meet other moms
- Pediatricians in Bangkok. Finding an English-speaking doctor
Common questions about international schools in Bangkok
- When should we start applying to international schools in Bangkok?
- As early as you can, especially for the main entry years and if you’re moving mid-year. Many schools take applications year-round but popular year groups fill up. Contact admissions directly and ask where your child’s year group stands.
- Is an IB school better than a British or American school?
- Not better, just different. The right choice depends on where your family might live next and how your child learns. Parents whose kids have moved between systems can tell you how the switch went.
- How do I check that an international school in Thailand is properly licensed?
- Ask the school about its license from the Office of the Private Education Commission and any outside accreditation it holds. The International Schools Association of Thailand also publishes its member list.
- What costs are there beyond tuition?
- Application fees, enrollment fees, sometimes a debenture or capital levy, plus the bus, lunches, uniforms and trips. Ask each school for its full fee schedule and what’s refundable.
- How can I get honest reviews of a specific school?
- Ask the admissions office to put you in touch with current parents, talk to families at the open house, and ask in local parent groups. Parents whose kids have been at the school for a year or more usually give the fullest picture.