The schools expat families actually choose, what tuition really costs, where the campuses cluster, how the British and bilingual curricula differ, and how admissions work. Fees are 2026 guide ranges in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
For an island its size, Koh Samui is well served for international education — a compact set of mostly British-curriculum schools led by the International School of Samui, plus south-east and north-coast alternatives and lower-cost bilingual options. Fees sit below Bangkok and Phuket, which is part of Samui's appeal for relocating families. As on any Thai island, schooling shapes where you live and a meaningful 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 Koh Samui cost-of-living guide, and use our Koh Samui area guides to match a neighbourhood to your school.
A representative selection of Koh Samui's established international and bilingual schools. This is a starting point, not a ranking — the right fit depends on curriculum, location and your child.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Samui (ISS) | North-east (near Chaweng) | British (EYFS–A-level) | One of the island's longest-established international schools, following the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-levels, with a campus on the busier north-east side close to Chaweng and the island's main amenities. |
| Panyadee, The British International School Samui | South-east (near Lamai) | British | A British-curriculum school in the island's south-east offering early years through IGCSE, part of an established Thai international-school group, popular with families based around Lamai and Hua Thanon. |
| Greenacre International School | Na Mueang (southern Koh Samui) | British | A smaller, more accessible British-curriculum school in the quieter southern part of the island near Na Mueang waterfalls, founded in 2017 and run as a Pearson Edexcel Approved Examinations Centre -- a different part of Koh Samui from the Bophut/Chaweng cluster. |
| Lamai International School | Lamai (east coast) | British / international | A small, community-minded international school serving families on the east coast around Lamai, with a more intimate setting and smaller class sizes. |
| Bilingual & Thai-international schools | Chaweng, Lamai & Nathon | Thai–English bilingual | Several bilingual and Thai-international schools across the island offer a lower-cost English-medium option, particularly for younger children and families staying longer term. |
Full profiles for four of the schools above: International School of Samui (ISS) PanyaDee, The British International School of Samui (PBISS) Greenacre International School Lamai International School (LIS)
Indicative annual tuition for 2026. The established British-curriculum schools sit at the upper end; smaller or bilingual schools can be markedly cheaper. These figures are tuition only.
| Stage | Annual tuition (guide) |
|---|---|
| Pre-school / Kindergarten | THB 90,000–220,000 |
| Primary / Junior (Years 1–6) | THB 150,000–320,000 |
| Lower secondary (Years 7–9) | THB 200,000–400,000 |
| Upper secondary / IGCSE (Years 10–11) | THB 260,000–480,000 |
| Sixth form / A-levels (Years 12–13) | THB 300,000–550,000 |
Budget separately for one-off application and registration fees, a refundable deposit 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.
Samui is a ring island with no rail or metro, so the school run is by car, scooter or school bus and most families pick their neighbourhood around the campus. The schools fall into three broad clusters:
| Area cluster | Example schools | Why families live there |
|---|---|---|
| North-east — Chaweng, Bophut, Choeng Mon & Bang Rak | International School of Samui, bilingual schools | The island's main hub for schools, the airport, international hospitals and amenities — where most relocating families with school-age children base themselves for convenience. |
| North coast — Maenam & Bang Por | Greenacre International School | Quieter, better-value family living with space and gardens, within easy reach of the north-coast schools, Bophut dining and the airport. |
| East / south-east — Lamai & Hua Thanon | Panyadee, Lamai International School | A calmer, lower-cost base on the east coast with a smaller but established selection of schools, popular with long-stay families. |
Check the school bus routes and pick-up times before signing a lease — on Samui's ring road they often matter more than straight-line distance.
The British system dominates Samui's international schools, running through IGCSEs at 16 and A-levels at 18 — focused, exam-based and easy to transfer back to the UK and Commonwealth; the International School of Samui, Panyadee and Greenacre all follow it. Bilingual Thai–English schools offer a lower-cost, English-medium alternative that also builds Thai-language skills, which can suit younger children and families settling long term. Samui has fewer full International Baccalaureate or American schools than Bangkok or Phuket, so if you need those systems specifically, confirm current availability before you commit — or weigh a larger mainland or Phuket school. Choose around where you might move next and how your child learns best.
The most popular Samui schools can have waitlists for certain year groups, so start early — many open applications six to twelve months ahead, and entry into the senior years is often the hardest to secure. Expect to provide recent school reports and records, sit an assessment (and often an interview), and show English-language readiness. 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 island 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 on Samui generally runs from around THB 90,000 for kindergarten to THB 300,000–550,000 for the senior or A-level years — noticeably lower than Bangkok or Phuket for comparable British-curriculum schooling. On top of tuition, budget for one-off application and registration fees, sometimes a refundable deposit, plus uniforms, the school bus, lunches and trips. Always ask each school for its full current fee schedule, as figures change year to year.
There is no single best — it depends on curriculum, location and your child. The International School of Samui is the island's largest and best-known British-curriculum school running through A-levels, while Panyadee and Greenacre are well-regarded British-curriculum alternatives in the south-east and north. The right fit is the school whose curriculum, campus location and community match your family, ideally one you can visit before deciding.
The dominant pathway is British — the English National Curriculum leading to IGCSEs at 16 and A-levels at 18 — offered by the island's main international schools. There are also bilingual Thai–English options that provide a lower-cost English-medium route, especially for younger children. Samui has fewer full IB or American schools than Bangkok or Phuket, so families set on those systems should check current availability carefully.
Most international schools on Samui follow an August-to-June academic year with two or three terms, rather than the Thai national May start. Popular schools can have waitlists for certain year groups, so applications often open six to twelve months ahead — plan your move and apply early, particularly for entry into the senior years.
Samui has no rail or metro and the school run is by car, scooter or school bus along the island's ring road, so most families choose their area around the school. The north-east around Chaweng and Bophut puts you near the International School of Samui, the airport and hospitals, while the calmer north coast around Maenam suits families near Greenacre. Check the bus routes and journey times before signing a lease — see our Koh Samui area and beach 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 home to your budget, and line up healthcare and your visa.
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