Surat Thani's international-school field is small and mainland-focused — here is exactly what relocating families choose from: Suratthani International School's IB-candidate campus near the city centre, Daniel International School's Christian-values American-curriculum programme with fully published fees, and Balance International School's Cambridge/IGCSE track. Fees are 2026 guide figures in Thai baht (≈ THB 35–36 = USD 1).
As the mainland gateway to the Samui archipelago rather than an established expat-retiree base, Surat Thani has a small but genuine international-school field of three schools. Suratthani International School (STIS), about 10 minutes from the city centre, is the most established, working toward full IB Primary Years Programme authorisation. Daniel International School (DIS), on the Tapi River in Kanchanadit district, opened in 2023 with Christian values and is the only school with a fully published, grade-by-grade fee schedule. Balance International School (BISS), in Bang Bai Mai, is billed as the first fully accredited Cambridge International School in southern Thailand. Below: the schools families actually choose, DIS's full published tuition, where to base yourself, and admissions tips. For day-to-day budgeting pair this with the Surat Thani cost-of-living guide, and use the Surat Thani hub to match a neighbourhood to your school.
All three international schools serving Surat Thani city and its surrounding districts. This is a starting point, not a ranking — the right fit depends on curriculum, values and budget.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suratthani International School (STIS) | 51/91 Phorkhuntale Road, Mueang Surat Thani District — about 10 minutes from the city centre | California State / Common Core foundation; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Candidate School | Opened in 2014 and serves around 240 students from Kindergarten (age 2) through Grade 8, taught in English with compulsory Mandarin. STIS is working toward full IB PYP authorisation and uses MAP Growth assessments to benchmark students against global standards. Facilities include the only English-literature library of its kind in the area, ICT, science, creative-arts, dance, music and sports spaces, class vegetable gardens, and a role as the region's Centre for Vipassana Meditation, running full-day retreats with local Buddhist organisations. |
| Daniel International School (DIS) | 99/1 Ban Bo Chalok, Moo 4, Thung Kong, Kanchanadit District — on the Tapi River, outside the city centre | Custom American-influenced curriculum (draws on American, British, Australian, Chinese and Thai standards), AP in Grades 11–12 | The newest of the three, opened 7 August 2023 by a Hong Kong educator couple, rooted in Christian values. DIS is the only Surat Thani school with a fully published, grade-by-grade fee schedule and offers a STEAM-rich environment — robotics, coding, design and performance labs — alongside Mandarin, Thai language & culture, and religion classes taught separately from the main English-medium instruction. Expanded into Grade 9 and a High School track from the 2025–26 year, with Advanced Placement preparation planned for Grades 11–12. |
| Balance International School (BISS) | 88/8 Moo 1, Bang Bai Mai, Mueang Surat Thani District | Cambridge International curriculum, Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 10/11, IGCSE | Marketed as the first fully accredited Cambridge International School in southern Thailand and in Surat Thani city. Class sizes are capped at roughly 20 pupils, with placement based on academic assessment and an English-language test, and the school explicitly welcomes all nationalities, religions and ethnic backgrounds. Curriculum moves from play-based learning in the early years to project-based learning in primary, building toward IGCSE examinations. |
Read the full guides: Suratthani International School (STIS) → Daniel International School (DIS) → Balance International School (BISS) →
Daniel International School is the only school in Surat Thani with a fully published, itemised fee schedule for the 2026/2027 academic year — a useful benchmark even for families considering STIS or BISS, which do not publish complete tuition figures online.
| Level | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery 2 – Kindergarten 3 (ages 2–5) | THB 253,600 / year |
| Grade 1 – Grade 8 (ages 6–13) | THB 334,000 / year |
| Grade 9 – Grade 10 (ages 14–15) | THB 415,360 / year |
On top of tuition, budget for these one-time and sibling-discounted items:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time, non-refundable) | THB 5,000 |
| Entrance fee — 1st child (one-time) | THB 50,000 |
| Entrance fee — 2nd child / 3rd child / 4th+ child (sibling discount) | THB 70,000 / THB 40,000 / THB 25,000 |
| Tuition — 2nd child / 3rd child / 4th+ child (sibling discount, per year) | THB 348,750 / THB 310,000 / THB 271,250 |
Figures are DIS's published 2026/2027 academic-year schedule and are reviewed annually by the school — always request the current fee schedule directly before you commit to an enrolment. STIS publishes only partial "general fees" of THB 25,000–40,000 a year by level (core tuition amounts are not disclosed), and BISS does not publish tuition online; contact each school's admissions office for current pricing.
With no rail transit in Surat Thani city, where you live is shaped almost entirely by which school you choose and your daily commute:
| Area | Nearest school | Why families live there |
|---|---|---|
| City centre / Phorkhuntale Road area | Suratthani International School | Surat Thani's main condo, shophouse and everyday-amenity corridor, roughly 10 minutes from STIS's campus — the most convenient base for families choosing STIS. |
| Bang Bai Mai, Mueang district | Balance International School | A residential district within Mueang Surat Thani, home to BISS's campus; check current commute times from your preferred rental area before committing. |
| Kanchanadit district (Tapi River, Thung Kong) | Daniel International School | Outside the city centre along the Tapi River — families choosing DIS should budget for a longer commute than the city-centre or Bang Bai Mai options, and confirm whether the school offers transport. |
Suratthani International School suits families wanting the most established option and an inquiry-based track toward full IB Primary Years Programme authorisation, with strong facilities for its size and a low student-to-teacher ratio, though it currently runs only through Grade 8. Daniel International School suits families specifically seeking a Christian-values framework alongside a STEAM-rich, multi-standard curriculum, and offers the clearest published cost picture of the three. Balance International School suits families wanting a genuine accredited Cambridge pathway toward IGCSE with capped class sizes of about 20 pupils. None of the three currently offers the IB Diploma Programme or A-Levels in Surat Thani itself — families anchored on that requirement should also compare the more mature school market on nearby Koh Samui.
Because Surat Thani's international-school market is small, capacity is rarely the constraint that it is in Bangkok or Phuket — the bigger task is confirming curriculum fit and current fees directly, since STIS and BISS do not publish complete pricing online. Contact admissions early to request the current fee schedule and confirm English-language assessment requirements; at DIS specifically, ask about the sibling discount structure and whether boarding is available, and at BISS ask about the academic and language placement tests used to build balanced classes. Gather school reports, immunisation records and references before you leave your home country, and confirm whether an employer relocation package covers tuition before you commit to a lease or a school. Given DIS's location outside the city centre, also confirm current school-transport options before choosing a rental area.
Surat Thani has three mainland options, each suited to a different priority. Suratthani International School (STIS) is the most established, working toward full IB Primary Years Programme authorisation with a California State/Common Core foundation. Daniel International School (DIS) is the newest, with a Christian-values American-influenced curriculum and the only fully published, grade-by-grade fee schedule in the city. Balance International School (BISS) is the region's first fully accredited Cambridge International School, building toward IGCSE. There is no single 'best' school — the right fit depends on curriculum, values, budget and which area you plan to live in.
Daniel International School — the only school with a fully published fee schedule — charges about THB 253,600 a year for Nursery through Kindergarten 3, rising to THB 334,000 a year for Grades 1–8 and THB 415,360 a year for Grades 9–10, plus a one-time entrance fee of THB 50,000 (discounted for siblings) and a THB 5,000 application fee. Suratthani International School publishes only partial general fees (THB 25,000–40,000 a year by level, with core tuition amounts not disclosed), and Balance International School does not publish fees online — contact each school's admissions office directly for current pricing.
Suratthani International School (STIS) is a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme, working toward full authorisation on top of a California State/Common Core foundation. Balance International School (BISS) is marketed as the first fully accredited Cambridge International School in southern Thailand, running Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 10/11 and IGCSE. Neither offers the IB Diploma Programme or A-Levels in Surat Thani itself — families wanting those specifically should also compare options on Koh Samui.
Yes — Daniel International School (DIS), opened in 2023 by a Hong Kong educator couple, is explicitly rooted in Christian values and blends American, British, Australian, Chinese and Thai curriculum standards, with religion classes taught separately from core English-medium instruction.
Families choosing Suratthani International School typically base themselves in or near the city centre along the Phorkhuntale Road corridor, about 10 minutes from campus. Balance International School sits in Bang Bai Mai within Mueang Surat Thani district. Daniel International School is outside the city centre in Kanchanadit district along the Tapi River, so families choosing DIS should plan for a longer daily commute or confirm the school's transport options. See our Surat Thani hub for the full area breakdown.
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 near your chosen school and line up banking and your visa.
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