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International School Hunt: How to Get Cheaper, Affordable International Schools in Thailand

Having immigrated to Thailand, along with your whole family, one thing you probably can't get off your mind is whether your kids will get the right, premium-quality education affordably. Public or local government schools aren't perhaps the best schools for foreign kids in Thailand. Most of them don't teach in English, which essentially means your children are automatically priced out. 

Also, the country's overall quality of education in local schools isn't up to par with international standards, and thus can't be an option for a foreigner like you. Most of the schools still teach according to an old syllabus, which never creates successful, all-rounded kids. 

International schools in Thailand 
And so, because giving your little one, the right academic foundation starts with the choice of kindergarten or international elementary school you opt for. You will have to choose an international school accredited to teach the kind of foreign curriculum. A Bangkok international school or just about any other outside the country's capital should basically be the right option. 

Ideally, it shouldn't be hard getting an international school because lots of these top-ranked institutions teach American, British, and International Baccalaureate – three of the best syllabi in the world. The country's over 170 international schools are spread all across the country, and all of them provide quality education. 

Where to get affordable international schools in Thailand
Without a doubt, international schools charge a lot more in tuition fees and other expenses, not just in Thailand, but all over the world. In Thailand, Tier 1 schools are the most expensive, while Tier 2 with ultra-modern facilities, state-of-the-art campuses, and other top-dollar facilities equally charge an arm and a leg. 

Other international schools that tend to be expensive are those located within Bangkok – the charge between ฿800,000 to ฿900,000 at the high school level. Schools situated far away from Bangkok, mostly in Phuket, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai today, are a lot more affordable compared to those in the city center. 

You can get an NGO-run international school with a solid track record of excellence in performance and A-grade facilities on the cheap. In fact, with an average yearly cost per student budget of between ฿350,000 and ฿500,000, you can be sure of getting one. 

As you begin your hunt, however, it is always great to know how far you can go. Most mid-tier international schools cost between ฿400,000 to ฿700,000, though you can get some cheaper ones with excellent facilities. Remember, the market is saturated and not so trustworthy, especially on its face value. And so, it's ideal that you visit the International Schools Association of Thailand website, the various online forums as well as the selected schools in person.