An honest look at what's actually available locally, why most relocating families lean on Phuket's international schools instead, and the realistic commuting, boarding and relocating trade-offs.
Phang Nga does not currently have an established, fee-paying international school -- day or boarding -- based on BAANLYY's research, and we would rather say that plainly than invent one. Families relocating to Phang Nga with school-age children who want an international curriculum overwhelmingly rely on Phuket, roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours away depending on where in Phang Nga they settle, reached via the Sarasin Bridge. This guide sets out what's genuinely available locally, the main Phuket options families actually use, and the practical trade-offs between commuting, boarding and relocating closer to Phuket.
Local families and Thai residents in Phang Nga are served by Thailand's ordinary government school system, operating in Thai, in Phang Nga town, Khao Lak/Thai Mueang and other district centres -- a genuine option for expat families prioritising local integration and lower cost over an international curriculum, though BAANLYY has not compiled a verified list of individual schools to name here. The one notable international-facing institution based in the province, Yaowawit School in Kapong district, is a nonprofit boarding and vocational school supporting underprivileged Thai children, with international volunteers and donor involvement -- a genuinely valuable local institution, but not a mainstream international-curriculum school that a relocating family would typically enrol a child into. If a dedicated international curriculum matters for your family, plan around Phuket rather than assuming a local option exists.
These are the established international schools most Phang Nga-based expat families turn to. Confirm current fees, admissions and place availability directly with each school before relying on any detail here.
Founded in 1996, a co-educational day and boarding school on a 44-acre campus with roughly 1,140 students from over 56 nationalities, following the British National Curriculum through to IB Diploma or A-Levels at Sixth Form.
Founded in 2005, an English National Curriculum school with over 1,500 students across two campuses (including a central Chaofah City campus), leading to Cambridge IGCSE and then A-Level or BTEC pathways.
Offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) from a campus near Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, with boarding available for grades 9-12.
Several other private and international-leaning schools also operate in and around Phuket town; BAANLYY has focused this list on the three most consistently established names rather than listing every school without direct verification. See the Phuket schools guide for the fuller picture.
Daily commuting is realistic for families based in Phang Nga town near the Sarasin Bridge, under an hour from central Phuket -- a long but manageable school run for many. From Khao Lak, a 1-1.5 hour drive each way is a much harder daily ask, particularly for younger children, and most Khao Lak-based families rule it out. Boarding is the option that lets a family keep its base in Phang Nga while a child attends a Phuket school full-time -- both BISP and UWC Thailand offer boarding, with UWC's available from grade 9. Relocating the family's primary base closer to Phuket, and treating a Phang Nga property as a weekend or holiday home instead, is the third common pattern, especially for families with several school-age children where a long commute or full boarding isn't the preferred fit.
No established, fee-paying international day or boarding school currently operates in Phang Nga province, based on BAANLYY's research. The one notable Phang Nga-based institution, Yaowawit School in Kapong, is a nonprofit boarding and vocational school for underprivileged Thai children with international volunteer involvement -- a valuable local institution, but not a mainstream international curriculum option for relocating families to enrol into.
Most relocating families with school-age children either commute daily to Phuket's international schools, use boarding options at schools that offer them, or base the family in Phuket (or close to the Sarasin Bridge crossing) while treating Phang Nga as a weekend or holiday property. Families prioritising a purely local, lower-cost Thai education can also use Thailand's ordinary government schools in Phang Nga town or Khao Lak, though these operate in Thai rather than an international curriculum.
It depends heavily on where in Phang Nga you're based. Phang Nga town, near the Sarasin Bridge crossing into Phuket, is under an hour from central Phuket in reasonable traffic. Khao Lak is roughly 1-1.5 hours each way -- a demanding daily school run, especially for younger children, which is why many Khao Lak-based families choose boarding or relocate closer to Phuket instead of commuting.
Yes -- British International School Phuket (BISP) offers day and boarding options, and UWC Thailand offers boarding for grades 9-12. Boarding is a realistic way for a family to remain based in Phang Nga while a child attends a Phuket international school, without a daily commute.
The closest established options are all in Phuket: British International School Phuket (BISP), founded 1996, British curriculum through IB/A-Levels; HeadStart International School, founded 2005, English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-Level/BTEC; and UWC Thailand, offering the full IB continuum with boarding for older students. Confirm current fees, availability and admissions directly with each school, as places and pricing change.
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.
Phang Nga hub · Getting around Phang Nga · Phuket schools guide · Phuket hub
Match your family's school plan to the right area before you commit to a home.
Hero photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels. General information only, not educational or admissions advice -- confirm current fees, curriculum, admissions requirements and place availability directly with each school before making a decision.