Expats with children won't be overwhelmed by the choice of schools in Thailand. Foreign children can attend public school, but, unlike Thai families, expat families will have to pay tuition fees.
Furthermore, the primary language of instruction at both public and private schools is Thai, which presents a language barrier for expat students. Expats therefore generally opt to send their children to either a private bilingual school or an international school in Thailand.
Public education in Thailand is free for Thai nationals up to the age of 18, and schooling is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. After completing compulsory education, students need to satisfy academic entrance requirements and begin to prepare for university.
Free public education is available for Thai nationals (by birth or naturalisation) only. Children who don't meet these requirements can still attend public schools, but not for free.
The English Programme (EP) is a government initiative offered by a number of public and private schools. In an EP class, almost all subjects are taught in English by a teacher hired from abroad.
Public and private schools with EP classes charge both Thai nationals and expats for these classes. This is in addition to tuition fees. The total price of attendance at either an EP public school or an EP private school will still fall well below the high cost of international schools.
For families who plan to live in Thailand long term, EP schools are a cost-effective way for children to develop closer ties to Thai culture and society while still allowing access to a bilingual education.
Private bilingual schools are a good option for expat parents who can't afford the high costs associated with international schools. The standard of some of these institutions has greatly improved over the course of the past decade, and Western-style teaching philosophies which focus on student-centred learning have had more influence in recent years.
English programmes vary between schools, so expat parents should do their research before making a selection. It is also worth bearing in mind that many of these schools are religious, in which case the curriculum will likely include a value-based learning system that aligns with the school's designated faith.
Private bilingual schools offer an opportunity for expat children to develop closer links to Thai culture and society while still allowing access to a higher standard of education, a wider assortment of extra-curricular activities, and better facilities.
Most expats, especially those only relocating for a short time, choose to send their children to international schools in Thailand. These schools, be they American, British or French, teach in a language and style that would be familiar to children from that country, and allow for continuity by providing home-country curricula.
International schools are accredited by external bodies, and it follows that both learning standards and the criteria for hiring teachers are high. Wealthy Thai families often prefer to send their children to these schools, and as a result, their student bodies often include a fair number of local students, too.
International schools in Thailand are almost always well financed, with modern facilities, small class sizes, and an impressive range of extra-curricular activities.
Although a large variety of international schools can be found in major cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya, options are more limited in rural areas. Expat families living in more rural locations may wish to explore boarding options or homeschooling.
The more popular international schools tend to have long waiting lists, and admission may be based on language proficiency and academic achievement. Requirements vary from school to school, but it's always best to start the admission and enrolment process as early as possible.
Fees for international schools in Thailand tend to be high. Expats relocating for work should try to negotiate an education allowance into their employment contract.
Before moving to Thailand, ensure you and the family are fully covered with a reliable health insurance plan. Explore our comprehensive international health insurance plans, designed to provide you reassurance abroad. Find out more about the Thailand healthcare system in our Healthcare in Thailand guide.
