International schools in Thailand

By the Editorial team · Checked October 2026

Thailand has one of the larger international school sectors in Asia, concentrated in Bangkok with smaller groups in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hua Hin. Most schools teach in English and follow a British, American or IB programme.

Licensing

International schools in Thailand are private schools licensed by the Office of the Private Education Commission under the Ministry of Education. Many also hold accreditation from a foreign body, such as WASC for American schools or an inspection under the British Schools Overseas framework for British ones. The International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) is the main membership body.

Where schools are

In Bangkok, schools cluster along Sukhumvit Road, on the Bangna-Trad corridor to the east, in the north of the city and near the river. Traffic is the main constraint on choice, and families often pick housing after the school. Outside Bangkok, Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard serve families working in the industrial estates, while Chiang Mai and Phuket have smaller groups of schools.

Curricula and school year

Most international schools run an August to June year, following the northern hemisphere calendar. British schools teach the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A level, often alongside the IB Diploma. American schools offer a US high school diploma, usually with Advanced Placement courses. A smaller group of schools adds Mandarin or Thai as a core language.

Admissions

Schools admit through the year where places allow, but the most popular entry points fill early. Expect to provide school reports, a reference and passport copies, and for your child to sit an assessment. Thai nationals at international schools follow additional Ministry of Education requirements for Thai language and culture.

Questions to ask

• Which accreditations does the school hold, and when was the last inspection?
• What is the full fee, including registration, capital levies and transport?
• How long do teachers usually stay?
• Where did last year's leavers go to university?

Finding schools

For a full list, International Schools DB has a directory of international schools in Thailand, with a separate page for Bangkok's international schools.