Foreigner Children in Thai Public Schools in Bangkok
Tuition THB 5K–15K/year · 100% Thai curriculum · the budget route
Widest choice in Thailand — 80+ international schools from THB 250,000 to 1,000,000+/year. ISB, NIST, Bangkok Patana lead the top tier; Shrewsbury, Brighton College, Harrow follow. IB, British and American curricula all available.
Recommended places & options in Bangkok
Bangkok is Thailand's largest expat hub, home to 250,000+ foreigners including executives, teachers, digital nomads and corporate families, with 200+ BTS/MRT stations and 15 JCI-accredited hospitals.
- International School Bangkok (ISB) - Pak Kret
- NIST - Sukhumvit 15
- Bangkok Patana - Bang Na
- Shrewsbury Riverside
- Harrow Bangkok - Don Mueang
- St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107
Bangkok-specific tips
- 1
Apply 12-18 months ahead for Tier 1 — waitlists exist at every grade
- 2
Request a remote assessment before moving so you know the grade placement
- 3
Application fees THB 5k-50k are non-refundable — apply to 2-3 schools in parallel
General steps (5 steps)
- 1Choose school by district
Public school near home (registered address / lease) / EP/MEP schools (Saint Joseph Convent, Mater Dei, Sai Nam Phueng EP)
- 2Contact admissions
Talk to the academic department — request a Thai language assessment for the child
- 3Submit + request MOE letter
Via MOE district office authorizing foreign child enrollment — using Apostille birth + parent visa
- 4Placement test + interview
Child takes Thai + Math + interview — may be held back 1–2 years if Thai is insufficient
- 5Register + uniform + ED/Dependent visa
Register / buy uniform + books / apply ED visa (private) or Dependent visa (public + parent work permit)
Top neighbourhoods in Bangkok
- Sukhumvit-Asoke
- Sathorn-Silom
- Thonglor-Ekkamai
- Ari-Phahonyothin
- Rama 9-Ratchada
- Nichada Thani-Pak Kret
Japanese (Sukhumvit 33-49, Thonglor-Ekkamai), American/European (Sathorn-Silom-Nichada), Korean (Rama 9, Sukhumvit), Indian (Phahurat-Silom), Chinese (Huai Khwang-Ratchada)
Frequently asked questions
How much does foreigner children in thai public schools cost in Bangkok?
Tier 1 (ISB/NIST/Patana): THB 800k-1.1M · Tier 2 (Shrewsbury/Brighton): THB 600-900k · Tier 3 (Bromsgrove/Wellington): THB 400-650k/year. National benchmark: THB 5K–15K/year (public) · EP +30K–80K/year · meals THB 50/day.
Which neighbourhoods in Bangkok are best for expats?
Top picks: Sukhumvit-Asoke, Sathorn-Silom, Thonglor-Ekkamai, Ari-Phahonyothin.
How long does foreigner children in thai public schools take?
Standard timeline Apply Apr–May · Term 1 starts May / Term 2 Nov. Bangkok is similar — NYC can pre-book to complete in a single day.
What about internet and getting around in Bangkok?
1 Gbps fiber (AIS/True/3BB) THB 590-890/month citywide · 5G on all carriers. Transit: BTS Sukhumvit + Silom Lines, MRT Blue + Purple, ARL to Suvarnabhumi, Grab/Bolt everywhere; private cars require tolerance for legendary traffic.
When is the best season in Bangkok?
Hot/humid year-round, 28-35°C avg. Rainy season May-Oct, cool/dry Nov-Feb
Can a non-Thai-speaking child enter?
Yes in P.1 (kids absorb fast in 3–6 months) / P.4+ is hard — need supplementary Thai lessons 1–2 years first or choose EP.
EP vs MEP?
EP = 50% subjects in English from native teachers + 50% Thai / MEP = English-language English class only, +2–4 hours/week.
Are EP native teachers reliable?
Mostly yes — must have work permit + degree + TEFL — quality varies; check Thai:foreign teacher ratio + tenure.
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8 ปี · 10,000+ เคส · 50+ ภาษา · 6 ทนายโนตารี · ครอบคลุม 127 พื้นที่ทั่วประเทศไทย