The schools expat families actually choose, what tuition really costs, where the campuses cluster, how the British, American and IB curricula differ, and how admissions work. Fees are 2026 guide ranges in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
Bangkok has one of Asia's deepest benches of international schools — dozens of British, American, IB and bilingual schools, several with decades of history and world-class campuses. For relocating families this is one of the city's biggest draws, but it shapes everything: which curriculum you pick, where you live, and a large slice of your budget. Below: the schools expats choose, typical tuition, where campuses cluster, the curricula explained, and admissions tips. For day-to-day budgeting pair this with the Bangkok cost-of-living guide, and use our Bangkok area guides to match a neighbourhood to your school.
A representative selection of Bangkok's established international schools across the British, American and IB systems. This is a starting point, not a ranking — many more excellent schools exist, and the right fit depends on curriculum, location and your child.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Patana School | Bang Na (Sukhumvit 105) | British + IB DP | Thailand's original British international school (1957); IGCSE, A-levels and the IB Diploma on a large purpose-built campus. |
| NIST International School | Sukhumvit (Soi 15) | IB (PYP/MYP/DP) | Central, non-profit full-IB school founded under UN auspices; highly sought-after for its location and continuum. |
| International School Bangkok (ISB) | Nichada Thani, Pakkret | American + IB DP | Long-established US-curriculum school on a large suburban campus north of the city; strong sports and facilities. |
| Shrewsbury International School | Riverside & City (Rama 9) | British | British curriculum across a riverside senior campus and a city campus for younger years. |
| Harrow International School Bangkok | Don Mueang (north) | British | British school with optional boarding and a spacious northern campus. |
| KIS International School | Huai Khwang / Rama 9 | IB | Full-IB continuum school near the new CBD; smaller, close-knit community feel. |
| St Andrews International (Nord Anglia) | Sukhumvit 107, Sathorn & Dusit | British + IB DP | Multi-campus Nord Anglia group covering the east, Sathorn and central areas. |
| Concordian International School | Bang Na | IB (trilingual) | Trilingual English-Thai-Chinese IB school in the eastern suburbs. |
| Regent's International School | Rama 9 & Langsuan | British + IB | British and IB pathways across a Rama 9 main campus and a central Langsuan campus; joined Nord Anglia Education in 2025. |
| Ruamrudee International School (RIS) | Min Buri (east) | American + IB DP | Established US-curriculum school on a large eastern campus. |
| Bromsgrove International School Thailand | Min Buri (golf course estate) | British + BTEC | British curriculum on a 36-hole golf course estate; boarding from age 9. |
| Garden International School Bangkok | Sathorn (near Lumpini) | British | Central Sathorn campus near Lumpini Park and Chong Nonsi BTS; EYFS through A-level. |
Full profiles: Bangkok Patana School · NIST International School · International School Bangkok (ISB) · Shrewsbury International School Bangkok · Harrow International School Bangkok · KIS International School · Ruamrudee International School (RIS) · Bromsgrove International School Thailand · St. Andrews International School, Sathorn · Concordian International School · Garden International School Bangkok · Bangkok Prep · Wells International School · Berkeley International School Bangkok · Regent's International School Bangkok
Indicative annual tuition for 2026. Top-tier British and American schools sit at the upper end; smaller or newer schools can be markedly cheaper. These figures are tuition only.
| Stage | Annual tuition (guide) |
|---|---|
| Pre-school / Kindergarten | THB 250,000–550,000 |
| Primary / Junior (Years 1–6) | THB 400,000–800,000 |
| Lower secondary (Years 7–9) | THB 550,000–900,000 |
| Upper secondary / IGCSE (Years 10–11) | THB 650,000–1,000,000 |
| Sixth form / IB Diploma / Grade 12 | THB 750,000–1,150,000 |
Budget separately for one-off application and registration fees, a refundable deposit or capital/development levy at some schools, and ongoing costs for uniforms, the school bus, lunches and trips. Always request each school's full current fee schedule before you commit.
Because Bangkok traffic makes a long school run brutal, most families pick their neighbourhood around the school. The campuses fall into a few clusters:
| Area cluster | Example schools | Why families live there |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sukhumvit (Soi 15–24) | NIST, St Andrews Sukhumvit | BTS-connected and central — suits families who want to stay in the condo belt. |
| Eastern Sukhumvit / Bang Na (Soi 101–107) | Bangkok Patana, Concordian, Regent's | Green, lower-density family suburb where most of the large British campuses sit. |
| Riverside & Sathorn | Shrewsbury (Riverside), St Andrews Sathorn | Riverside senior campus plus central Sathorn options near the business district. |
| Northern suburbs (Pakkret / Don Mueang) | ISB (Nichada Thani), Harrow | Spacious campuses; many expat families cluster in Nichada Thani's gated community. |
| Rama 9 / Huai Khwang (new CBD) | KIS, Shrewsbury City | Newer-CBD options close to the MRT. |
Check the school bus routes, catchment zones and pick-up times before signing a lease — they often matter more than straight-line distance.
The British system runs through IGCSEs at 16 and A-levels at 18 — focused, exam-based and easy to transfer back to the UK and Commonwealth; Patana, Shrewsbury, Harrow and St Andrews follow it. The American system awards a high-school diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a broader, continuous-assessment approach; ISB and Ruamrudee are the anchors. The International Baccalaureate (PYP in primary, MYP in middle years, and the IB Diploma at 16–18) is a globally portable, inquiry-led programme offered by NIST, KIS and as a sixth-form option at several British schools. If you expect to move countries again, the IB and the larger British schools travel especially well. Choose around where you might go next and how your child learns best.
The most popular schools have waitlists, so start early — many open applications six to twelve months ahead, and entry into the senior years can be the hardest to secure. Expect to provide recent school reports and records, sit an assessment or entrance test (and often an interview), and show English-language readiness; some schools assess in the child's first language too. The academic year usually runs August to June, so aim to apply well before the summer. Gather transcripts, immunisation records and references before you leave home, and where you can, visit shortlisted campuses in person — fit, facilities and the commute are hard to judge from a website. Once a place is confirmed, choose your area and home around the school and its bus network.
Annual tuition typically runs from around THB 250,000 for kindergarten to THB 750,000–1,150,000 for the senior/IB Diploma years, with the top-tier British and American schools at the higher end. On top of tuition, budget for one-off application and registration fees, sometimes a refundable deposit or capital/development levy, plus uniforms, the school bus and trips. Always ask each school for its full current fee schedule.
There is no single best — it depends on curriculum, location and your child. Bangkok Patana (British) and ISB (American) are the two largest and most established, NIST is the central full-IB favourite, and Shrewsbury and Harrow are highly regarded British schools. The right fit is the school whose curriculum, campus location and community match your family, ideally one you can visit before deciding.
The three main pathways are British (IGCSE leading to A-levels), American (high-school diploma with AP courses) and the International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP and the IB Diploma). Several schools offer more than one — for example British plus the IB Diploma in the sixth form — and a few are bilingual or trilingual. Choose based on where you might move next and which system suits your child's learning style.
Most British, American and IB international schools run an August-to-June academic year with two or three terms, rather than the Thai national May start. Popular schools have waitlists, so applications often open six to twelve months ahead — plan your move and apply early, especially for entry into the senior years.
It helps a lot. Bangkok traffic makes a long school run punishing, so most families choose their neighbourhood around the school. Schools in eastern Sukhumvit and the northern suburbs run extensive bus networks with defined catchment zones, while central schools like NIST suit condo-belt living. Check the bus routes and times before signing a lease — see our Bangkok area guides to match a neighbourhood to your school.
This guide is general information for relocation planning, not admissions or financial advice. School fees, curricula, campus locations and admissions rules change — confirm current details directly with each school.
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
School shortlisted — now match a family-friendly area and condo to your budget, and line up healthcare and your visa.
Hero photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.