Ages 3–5
The easiest age to try any system. Thai kindergartens and bilingual nurseries are affordable and children absorb the language. See early years in Thailand.
← Schools & Education
JLIT school guide · Last checked 4 November 2026
International, bilingual or Thai school: what's the difference?
A plain-English comparison of Thailand's three school systems — teaching language, curriculum, school year, fees, qualifications and how easily your child can move on — so you can decide which kind of school to shortlist before you look at individual schools.
257international schools in Thailand in 2025 (Kasikorn Research estimate)
Any nationalitycan enrol in a Thai state school — confirmed by the Education Ministry in January 2026
May–MarchThai school year; most international schools run August–June
15 yearsof free basic education guaranteed in Thailand, kindergarten to Mathayom 6
The short answer
The real difference is language, curriculum and where it leads.
International schools teach in English (or another foreign language) to a foreign curriculum such as British, American or IB, and lead to qualifications universities worldwide recognise. Bilingual schools and English Programme classes teach the Thai national curriculum, with some or most subjects in English. Thai state schools teach the national curriculum in Thai, at little or no cost.
None is "better" in the abstract. The right choice depends on how long you will stay, your child's age and languages, where they are likely to study next, and your budget. Families planning to move on in a few years usually stay in an international curriculum; families settling long term, especially with a Thai-speaking parent, often find bilingual or Thai schooling works well for younger children.
Chapter 01
The three systems
How each one actually works
Side by side
International vs bilingual vs Thai schools compared
Typical patterns — individual schools vary, so always confirm with the school itself.
| International school | Bilingual school / EP class | Thai state school | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching language | English (or French, German, Japanese and others) | Thai and English; EP teaches most subjects except Thai and social studies in English | Thai |
| Curriculum | Foreign: British, American, IB, Cambridge, Australian and others | Thai national curriculum, often with extra English, Chinese or international content | Thai national curriculum |
| School year | Usually August to June | Usually May to March | May to March, two semesters |
| Run and licensed by | Private, licensed by the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) | Private schools (OPEC) or programmes inside government schools | Government (mainly under OBEC or local authorities) |
| Leaving qualification | IGCSE/A-level, IB Diploma, US high school diploma and others | Thai Mathayom 6 certificate | Thai Mathayom 6 certificate |
| Classmates | Mixed; about two-thirds are Thai nationals overall | Mostly Thai | Almost all Thai |
| Fees | Highest — commonly hundreds of thousands of baht a year | Middle — often tens of thousands of baht a term | Free tuition for basic education; pay for uniforms, lunch, materials |
| Best for | Mobile families, older children, overseas university plans | Long-term residents wanting Thai and English | Young children, Thai-speaking families, full immersion |
International schools
A foreign curriculum, taught in Thailand
Thailand has one of Asia's largest international school sectors: 249 schools in 2024 and an estimated 257 in 2025, according to figures reported by The Nation. Most are in Bangkok, with growing numbers in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin and the Eastern Seaboard.
- Curriculum: British (often with Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel exams), American, International Baccalaureate, plus Australian, Singaporean, French, German, Japanese and others.
- Quality checks: schools must be licensed by OPEC, and those teaching a foreign curriculum must join a recognised accreditation body such as CIS, WASC, NEASC, Cognia or COBIS.
- Thai lessons: Thai language and culture is part of the timetable; Thai-national pupils take five lessons a week.
- Not all "international" schools are equal: some small schools use the name but are early-stage or not yet accredited — ask.
Bilingual schools and English Programmes
The Thai curriculum, with English built in
"Bilingual" covers several different things in Thailand, so look closely at what a school means by it:
- Private bilingual schools — licensed by OPEC to teach the Thai national curriculum with a large share of lessons in English, and often Chinese too.
- English Programme (EP) — a separate stream inside a Thai school, government or private, where most subjects except Thai language and social studies are taught in English, often by foreign teachers.
- Mini English Programme (MEP) — a lighter version with fewer subjects in English.
- Bilingual international schools — international schools that also teach Thai or Mandarin in depth. These follow a foreign curriculum, not the Thai one.
EP classes are usually smaller than regular Thai classes and cost more, but far less than international schools. Quality depends heavily on the individual school and its teachers.
Thai state schools
Can foreign children go to a Thai school?
Yes. In January 2026 the Ministry of Education confirmed in the Royal Gazette that every school under its supervision must accept children who are foreign nationals or have no Thai household registration — at any level, in any type of school, nationwide. It builds on a Cabinet resolution of 5 July 2005. Children without a Thai ID number are registered with a 13-digit student code beginning with "G".
Thai state schools follow the national structure: kindergarten (Anuban), six years of primary (Prathom 1–6) and six of secondary (Mathayom 1–6). Nine years are compulsory. Lessons are in Thai, classes can be large, and there is usually little English-language support for newcomers, so they suit young children best, or children with a Thai-speaking parent at home.
A place still depends on the school's capacity and catchment. Popular schools are oversubscribed, especially at Prathom 1 and Mathayom 1 entry.
Language is the deciding factor
Young children pick up Thai fast — teenagers rarely can
A four- or five-year-old dropped into a Thai kindergarten will often be chatting within months. A thirteen-year-old with no Thai faces exams, textbooks and friendships in a language they cannot yet read. That is why age matters more than anything else when you choose between systems.
Chapter 02
Choosing for your child
Age, plans, languages and budget
By age
Which system suits which age?
Ages 6–11
Bilingual and EP schools work well for families staying long term. If you may move abroad, keep your child in a curriculum they can continue elsewhere.
Ages 12–15
Switching into Thai-medium schooling is hard without Thai literacy. Most foreign families choose international schools at this age.
Ages 16–18
Avoid switching systems mid-qualification. Choose by the leaving certificate and university route your child needs.
Your plans
Think about the next move, not just this one
The most common regret is choosing a school for its fees or its location without thinking about where the child goes next. A child who completes primary school in a Thai bilingual school and then moves to the UK, US or Australia may need to catch up on academic English writing and a different maths sequence. A child in an international school who later wants to join the Thai system may need Thai literacy support.
Thai universities accept both routes. International programmes at Thai universities typically take IB, A-level, GED and SAT results alongside the Thai certificate through the TCAS admission rounds, though entry requirements vary by programme.
Switching systems
How Thai year groups compare
An approximate guide. Schools decide placement on date of birth and prior learning — ask for a written placement decision.
| Typical age | Thai system | British style | American style |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | Anuban 1–3 (kindergarten) | Nursery, Reception | Pre-K, Kindergarten |
| 6–11 | Prathom 1–6 | Years 2–7 | Grades 1–6 |
| 12–14 | Mathayom 1–3 (lower secondary) | Years 8–10 | Grades 7–9 |
| 15–17 | Mathayom 4–6 (upper secondary) | Years 11–13 | Grades 10–12 |
The Thai school year starts in May, and most international schools start in August, so a family arriving mid-year can find one system mid-way through a semester while the other is about to begin. Our guide to moving to Thailand with school-age children covers timing your move, and international school curricula explained covers moving between British, American and IB.
Costs
What each system costs
Fees change every year — always ask for the school's current published fee schedule.
Thai state school
Tuition for basic education is free under Thailand's 15-year free education policy. Families still pay for uniforms, lunch, books and activities, and some schools charge foreign pupils — ask first.
Bilingual school or EP
A 2019 roundup of Bangkok private schools offering EP and bilingual programmes put fees at roughly 30,000–150,000 baht a term for primary and secondary. Government-school EP streams are usually cheaper.
International school
The widest range. For 2026-27, International School Bangkok publishes tuition of 659,000–1,197,000 baht a year; many schools outside Bangkok charge far less. Add application, registration and deposit fees.
Checklist
Before you shortlist
Ticks are kept for this visit only.
Quick answers
International, bilingual and Thai schools: FAQs
What is the difference between an international school and a bilingual school in Thailand?
An international school teaches a foreign curriculum such as British, American or IB, usually in English, and leads to international qualifications. A bilingual school teaches the Thai national curriculum, with part of the teaching in English, and leads to the Thai Mathayom 6 certificate.
Can foreign children attend Thai government schools?
Yes. A Ministry of Education announcement published in the Royal Gazette in January 2026 requires schools under the ministry to accept children of any nationality, with or without Thai household registration. A place still depends on the school's capacity.
Are Thai state schools free for foreigners?
Thailand provides 15 years of free basic education, but families pay for uniforms, lunch, books and activities, and some schools charge foreign pupils extra. Ask the school for its fees before applying.
What is an English Programme (EP) in a Thai school?
A separate stream inside a Thai school where most subjects except Thai language and social studies are taught in English, often by foreign teachers. A Mini English Programme (MEP) teaches fewer subjects in English.
How many international schools are there in Thailand?
249 in 2024, and an estimated 257 in 2025 according to Kasikorn Research figures reported by The Nation in May 2026. Most are in and around Bangkok.
When does the Thai school year start?
Thai state schools start in May, with a first semester to early October and a second from early November to late February or early March. Most international schools start in August and finish in June.
Do international schools in Thailand teach Thai?
Yes. Thai language and culture is part of the timetable, and Thai-national pupils take five 50-minute Thai lessons a week. Non-Thai pupils usually take Thai as an additional language.
Which school is best for a teenager who speaks no Thai?
Usually an international school. Joining Thai-medium secondary school without Thai literacy is very difficult, and switching curriculum close to exams can disrupt qualifications.
Can my child go to a Thai university from an international school?
Yes. Thai universities' international programmes accept IB, A-level, GED and SAT results through the TCAS admission rounds, though requirements vary by programme and some ask for an equivalence certificate.
Is a bilingual school a good choice if we might leave Thailand?
It can be for younger children, but check how the Thai curriculum maps onto the system you would move to. For older children, an international curriculum makes onward moves much easier.
Sources & verification
How we checked this guide
Last checked 4 November 2026. School numbers come from Kasikorn Research and ISAT figures reported by The Nation; enrolment rules from the Ministry of Education's January 2026 announcement. Fees are examples from published schedules or dated roundups — always check the school's current figures.
Khaosod English: Education Ministry enrolment rules (Jan 2026) ↗
The Nation: international school numbers (May 2026) ↗
The Nation: ISAT on student numbers (Nov 2024) ↗
The Thaiger: Thai school calendar ↗
The Thaiger: Thai public schools for foreign children (Nov 2025) ↗
Chambers: accreditation for international schools (Jun 2026) ↗
iSchoolAdvisor: bilingual schools in Bangkok (2026) ↗
Education in Thailand (overview) ↗
Schools & education
