Top Tier International Schools
NIST International School (Sukhumvit 15) is Bangkok's only fully IB school, offering all three programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) since 1992. ISB (International School Bangkok) in Nichada Thani offers an American curriculum with extensive facilities including its own theater and Olympic pool. Both are non-profit foundation schools with rigorous admissions.
Bangkok Patana School (Bang Na) is the largest British international school in Thailand with over 2,200 students from 65 nationalities. Established 1957, it offers IGCSE and IB Diploma. All three sit at the top of Bangkok's academic and fee tier.
British Curriculum Schools
Harrow International School (Don Mueang area) brings the prestigious UK Harrow brand with boarding options and sweeping campus facilities. Shrewsbury International School (Riverside, Charoen Krung) sits beside the Chao Phraya River with strong arts and athletics. Both offer A-Levels and IGCSE.
Brighton College Bangkok is the newest UK transplant with a striking Krungthep Kreetha campus. Regents International School Bangkok in Pattanakarn offers IB throughout. Each carries British heritage, term-time structure, and strong university placement records into UK Russell Group universities.
Mid-Tier and Specialized Options
Concordian International School (Bang Na) is bilingual (English, Mandarin, Thai) with IB programmes and strong Asian language outcomes. KIS International (Huai Khwang) offers IB on a compact urban campus near MRT. Australian International School Bangkok (AISB) follows the Australian curriculum.
Trinity International School, Singapore International School Bangkok, and Wells International School offer quality education at lower fee tiers. American School of Bangkok and Ascot International round out solid mid-priced options.
Fees and Extras
Annual tuition ranges roughly: top tier (NIST, ISB, Patana, Harrow, Shrewsbury) ฿800,000-฿1,200,000. British/IB mid-upper (Brighton, Regents, Concordian) ฿600,000-฿900,000. Mid-tier (KIS, AISB, ASB) ฿500,000-฿750,000. Add ฿100,000-฿250,000 for application fees, capital levies, deposits, uniforms, lunches, and bus service.
Many companies offer education allowances for relocated executives. Without corporate support, families budget ฿1.5-2 million per child annually all-in for top schools. Sibling discounts and early-pay discounts can reduce totals 5-10%.
Application Process
Each school requires application forms, previous school reports (typically 2-3 years), reference letters, and assessment testing. Year 1-6 assessments usually involve play-based observation; secondary entry requires English, math, and reasoning tests. Interviews with parents are standard.
Apply 12-18 months ahead for top schools. NIST, ISB, and Patana have particularly long waitlists; mid-year openings appear when families relocate. Visit campuses before applying when possible, the cultural fit varies widely between American, British, and IB-focused environments.