First, clarify "When will school start?"

International schools in Thailand operate under multiple academic systems

• American system /IB schools: The first semester starts in late August, the Christmas break begins in

 mid-December, the second semester begins in early January, and the third semester begins in early April.

British schools: There are three semesters in a year, starting in late August, early January and late April respectively.

Great flexibility in class transfer: As long as there is a vacancy and the assessment is passed, 

you can start school at any time without having to wait until August.

2. Start the application six months in advance

1. School Selection: There are over 180 international schools in the three major districts of Bangkok, 

Chiang Mai and Phuket. It is recommended to visit the schools online first and then make an appointment for an on-site visit.

2. Submitted materials: English academic transcripts for the past three years, passport, vaccination certificate, 

and physical examination form; Non-native language students need IELTS 5.5 or 

TOEFL Junior 785. Alternative language assessment within the school can also be used.

3. Admission Assessment: For lower grades, the assessment mainly focuses on gamified English and 

mathematics observation. For senior grades, there will be additional tests on critical writing 

and group tasks. Parents are required to explain their educational concepts in English.

4. Wait for the result: The admissions office in Thailand is small in scale and the email response is slow. At least 4 to 8 weeks should be reserved.

Three things should be completed within 14 days after receiving the admission

1. Pay the registration fee: Popular schools have a waiting list. Failure to do so within the specified time will be regarded as giving up the place.

2. Apply for a student visa (Non-ED) : Go to the Thai embassy or consulate with the admission

 letter from your school and the fee receipt to apply. One parent can apply for a accompanying study 

visa (requiring a deposit certificate of 500,000 Thai Baht or equivalent foreign currency), while the 

other parent needs to apply for an elite visa or a retirement visa separately.

3. Credit Transfer: Transfer students can apply for credit transfer, which can offset up to 70% of the

 required courses. Some schools offer a 6-week online foundation course to enhance academic English in advance.

Iv. Luggage and Cultural Preparations

• School uniforms: International schools in Thailand generally require uniform school uniforms, 

which can be purchased on campus or in designated shopping malls.

• Vaccines: The Ministry of Education of Thailand requires the completion of basic vaccines such as MMR, 

MUMps, rubella, diphtheria-Tetanus-pertussis, etc. Please undergo a medical examination and have it notarized before entering the country.

• Language connection: If a child has a weak foundation in English, they can participate in online oral 

or writing tutoring 2 to 3 months in advance. Parents can also sign up for the school's weekend English classes to improve together with their children.

• Life Guide: Download the three major apps, Grab (for ride-hailing), Line (for social networking),

 and Rabbit (for subway cards), in advance. There are Chinese supermarkets and Chinese restaurants 

around the International schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, making life quite convenient.

V. checklist for the First Week after Arriving at School

Go to the Academic Affairs Office to collect your student ID card and school bus card.

② Open a Google Classroom/Seesaw account on campus;

③ Extracurricular activities (Muay Thai, robotics, sailing, etc.);

④ Parents who join the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) can obtain information on interest classes and volunteer activities in the first place.

⑤ Apply for a local Bank card in Thailand (Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank offer free account opening fees to students).

Tips

• Tuition fee range for international schools in Thailand: The first tier (NIST, ISB, Patana) costs 450,000 to

 1,000,000 Thai baht per year. The second tier (Regent's, St. Andrews 71) costs 150,000 to 900,000 Thai baht.

If you need Chinese language assistance, you can choose Chiang Mai Chinese International School (CCIS), etc.

 However, mainstream international schools still mainly offer courses in English, and Chinese is mostly an elective.

During the back-to-school season, housing supply is tight. It is recommended to reserve an apartment or 

villa within 5 to 10 kilometers of the school two months in advance and confirm the school bus route.

Preparing according to the above timeline and list can ensure that children can smoothly transition to the 

new semester of the international school in Thailand. Wish you a pleasant start to the new term!