Private education

International schools in Thailand

Private education

There are international schools for every age group in Thailand, ranging from pre-school to higher education. Most international schools can be found in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and on the Eastern Seaboard.

International schools in Thailand usually follow the American, British or the IB curriculum (more on this below). There are also a few that follow the German, Swiss, Japanese or Indian curriculum.

Classes are usually taught in English or in other foreign languages, depending on the focus of the school. On average, they have a 10% rate of international students. The facilities and quality of teaching are usually of a high standard and the class sizes small.

The Ministry of Education has established a set of minimum requirements that international schools in Thailand must meet. These include location and structure of buildings, sanitary installations, administration and educational facilities such as libraries, labs, IT equipment, resource centers and sports fields.

Some international schools are listed at the website of the International Schools Association of Thailand  or at the website of the Thai Ministry of Education .

The IB program

Some international schools offer students the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The IB is a challenging program that encourages students for personal and academic achievements. It is considered globally as the ‘golden standard’ in terms of preparing students for higher education.

One of the best schools in Thailand offering the IB Programme is the International School Bangkok (ISB) . It has its own community which goes beyond the school walls in one of the preferred areas for expats in Bangkok: Nichada Thani.

Nursery schools in Bangkok

Bangkok Mothers and Babies International organisation (BAMBI)  offers support and advice for international parents in Bangkok and can help you find an international kindergarten. Keep in mind, however, that an international kindergarten may not always offer your child an early education that is considered international in western countries. Many international kindergartens in Thailand are simply cosy places with nannies for children.

Further reading

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