Hello everyone, I’m Tai Le.

As many of you may have learned from our recent videos and articles, by 2026, four top private school brands from the UK will be opening campuses in Thailand. They are Dulwich College Bangkok, St. Paul’s International School Bangkok, Wycombe Abbey School Bangkok, and Highgate International School Thailand. Additionally, Magdalen College School from the UK is set to open its Bangkok branch, MCS Oxford Bangkok, in 2028.

With so many high-quality private school brands flocking to Thailand, as a professional who has long followed the international education industry in Southeast Asia, I decided to delve deeper into the data behind this trend.

What I discovered is that the Thai international education market is undergoing an unprecedented transformation—a wave of industrial upgrading led by local Thai capital.

I. The Data Doesn’t Lie: A Market in Explosive Growth

Let me start with some staggering figures.

According to the latest data from Thailand’s Business Development Department, as of April 30, 2025, the number of registered legal entities in Thailand’s education sector has reached 7,511, with a total registered capital of over 50.6 billion Thai Baht (approximately 10 billion RMB).

More crucial is the growth rate. The number of newly registered educational institutions soared from 502 in 2020 to 979 in 2024, an increase of nearly 95%. In just the first four months of 2025, 319 new educational institutions were established, with a registered capital exceeding 600 million Thai Baht.

The performance of the international school segment is even more impressive. According to statistics from the Kasikorn Research Center, Thailand currently has 257 international schools. The total market value in 2024 is projected to reach 87 billion Thai Baht (about $2.5 billion), a growth of approximately 13% compared to 2023.

What concerns me most is the change in student numbers. Against the backdrop of a continuously declining overall birth rate and decreasing student numbers in traditional schools, the enrollment in international schools is bucking the trend, rising by 10.2% year-on-year in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9% over the past decade.

What does this mean? The market is voting with its feet. More and more families are choosing international education.

II. Thailand’s Top Tycoons Enter the Fray: More Than Just Business, It’s a Strategic Move

What I find most interesting is that the main players in this wave of investment are no longer traditional Western education groups, but Thailand’s own top business families.

Here are some representative examples I’ve compiled:

• Country Group Development (CGD) - The Ben Taechaubol family is partnering with London’s St Paul’s Girls’ School (SPGS International) to bring this 120-year-old prestigious UK school to Thailand.

• The Buranupakorn Family (Ornsirin Holdings Group) - One of the largest hotel and real estate developers in Northern Thailand, they established the first British international school in Chiang Mai with a very precise target audience: affluent local families, Chinese parents seeking education in Thailand, and local expatriates.

• The Lattapipat Family (owners of Chulalongkorn University) - Investing 1.5 billion Baht (approx. $46 million) to build a 50-rai British-style campus on Krungthep Kreetha Road, complete with red-brick architecture and adjacent to a golf course, for a very authentic British feel.

• The Teepasuwan Family - Partnering with the 455-year-old Rugby School UK to build Thailand’s largest international school by area in Chonburi, spanning 1,400 rai (about 224 hectares). This project also has an investment of 1.5 billion Baht.

• The Kanchanapas Family (Rabbit Holdings) - Co-investing 5 billion Baht with Hong Kong investors to build Verso International School.

• The Assakul Family (Thai Ocean Life Insurance) - Investors in St. Stephen’s International School and Brighton College Bangkok.

• The Jiaravanon Family - Investors in Raintree International School.

Looking at these names and numbers, I’m sure you can feel the strength of this force. These are the top business families in Thailand, shifting their focus from traditional real estate, hotels, and finance to education.

This isn’t just a business; it’s a strategic bet.

III. Foreign Capital is Also Bullish: Global Investment Floods into Thailand’s Education Market

In addition to local Thai capital, international investment is also pouring in.

According to data from the Business Development Department, total foreign investment in Thailand’s education sector reaches 5.733 billion Thai Baht. The top three investing countries are:

1. United Kingdom - 30% of the total, investing 1.706 billion Baht

2. China - 11% of the total, investing 636 million Baht

3. Singapore - 7% of the total, investing 428 million Baht

It’s not surprising that the UK is the largest investor. Thailand and the British Royal Family have a deep historical connection in education. From the 19th to the late 20th century, 23 Thai royal family members were educated at Harrow School. This historical link has laid the foundation for the development of British education in Thailand.

The entry of Chinese capital represents another trend—as the demand for overseas education among Chinese families grows, investment in supporting educational industries is following suit.

IV. Astonishing Profitability: Education Becomes the New Gold Rush

Many people might ask: Why is this capital so optimistic about Thailand’s international education sector?

The answer is simple: extremely high profit margins.

An in-depth analysis by the Business Development Department of 20 major international schools shows:

• 2022: Total revenue of 5.723 billion Baht (up 6.57%); profit of 681 million Baht (up 55.75%).

• 2023: Total revenue of 7.327 billion Baht (up 28.04%); profit of 1.608 billion Baht (up 136.28%).

• 2024: Total revenue of 8.313 billion Baht (up 13.45%); profit of 1.835 billion Baht (up 14.08%).

Did you see that profit growth? In 2023, profit increased by 136.28% year-on-year!

And this is just the official data for top-tier schools. According to a previous independent survey by TIS Monitor, the profit margins of many international schools in the Bangkok area reach 30%-50%, far surpassing traditional industries.

Behind these high profits are sustained strong market demand and relatively weak price competition.

V. Why Thailand? Why Now?

We need to understand that this wave of investment is no accident. It is the result of several factors working together.

Unmatched Geopolitical Advantage

Thailand is located at the heart of Southeast Asia. From Bangkok, you can reach major cities across the region within 3 hours. As a regional aviation hub, it has numerous international flights with relatively affordable fares, making travel to and from China, Europe, and the US very convenient.

What does this mean for the clients we serve?

It’s easy for parents to visit, convenient for children to return home, and allows for quick responses in emergencies. This geographical “not too far, not too close” distance is just right—it allows children to enjoy an international education without being completely detached from their family and cultural roots.

Extremely Friendly Policy Environment

The Thai government adopts a very open attitude towards international education. Through the regulation of the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC), international schools can operate with a high degree of autonomy, with great flexibility in curriculum choice and teacher recruitment.

Visa policies are also continuously improving. Education visas are easy to apply for with a high success rate, and accompanying guardian visa policies are relatively lenient. All of these significantly lower the barrier to entry for families.

Outstanding Cost-Effectiveness

This is the most critical point.

According to statistics, the average annual tuition fee for international schools in Thailand in 2024 was approximately 764,484 Baht (about 148,000 RMB).

• Thailand vs. China: Top-tier international schools in China: 250,000-400,000 RMB/year; Top-tier schools in Thailand: approx. 200,000 RMB/year.

• Thailand vs. UK: UK boarding schools: 280,000-400,000 RMB/year (after adding VAT), with total costs reaching 500,000-600,000 RMB/year. In Thailand, the cost is only 30-40% of that in the UK.

Compared to international schools in China, Thailand not only offers better value for money but also a more internationalized environment. Compared to traditional low-age study destinations like the UK and Australia, for a similar quality of international education, Thailand’s cost is only 30-50% of those traditional destinations.

More importantly, in Thailand, tuition is just one part of the total cost. When considering living expenses, safety, and cultural adaptability, Thailand’s advantages become even more pronounced.

Sustained Growth in Market Demand

There are several demand-side drivers:

• Explosive Demand from Chinese Families: As Chinese middle-class and high-net-worth families become more knowledgeable about international education, more are choosing “low-age study abroad.” However, after the pandemic, awareness of the risks of long-distance study has increased, making Thailand a perfect alternative.

• Demand from the Local Elite: Affluent Thai families are also increasingly inclined towards international education. A declining birth rate means more educational investment per child, making international schools the top choice for these families.

• Influx of Students from Neighboring Countries: The number of students from CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) is clearly increasing. They are drawn by Thailand’s relatively mature international education system and lower costs.

• Essential Need for Globally Mobile Families: Expatriate professionals and multinational executives working in Thailand need schools that offer mother-tongue education and internationally accredited curricula.

According to data from the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT), Thailand currently has 80,000 to 85,000 international school students, of whom about 35% are foreign nationals. ISAT aims to attract another 20,000 to 30,000 foreign students and their families, which could bring about 80 billion Baht in consumption to the Thai economy.

VI. The Market is Differentiating: A Survival of the Fittest Reshuffling

The massive influx of capital brings not only opportunities but also fierce competition.

I have observed that the Thai international school market is experiencing clear differentiation:

• Top Schools Become Even More Elite: Established elite schools like ISB, Patana, NIST, and Harrow, with their years of accumulated brand equity, alumni networks, and university placement records, continue to raise tuition fees and become harder to get into, yet they are still oversubscribed.

• New Schools Rise Rapidly: Schools entering the market with substantial capital and brand-new concepts are quickly capturing market share through high-end facilities, high-quality teaching teams, and innovative curricula.

• Mid-Tier Schools Face Immense Pressure: Mid-tier schools that lack the backing of a top brand and the support of capital are facing increasing survival pressure. They must find their own differentiated positioning, or they risk being eliminated in this reshuffle.

What does this mean for our clients?

There are more choices, but making the right choice has also become harder.

In the past, there might have been only a dozen or so schools to choose from; now there are hundreds. But the differences between schools are growing, and the impact of a correct or incorrect choice on a child’s future will be even more profound.

VII. A Comprehensive Upgrade in Educational Quality: The Positive Changes We See

As an industry professional, what delights me most is the tangible improvement in quality brought by this wave of capital investment.

1. Significantly Improved Teacher Quality

To build their reputation quickly, new schools are willing to invest heavily in their faculty. We are seeing more and more teachers, especially from top UK schools, being attracted to Thailand by high salaries. Take Dulwich College Bangkok, which is opening in 2026, for example. The salary for teachers recruited from the UK is already in the top 50% of UK private school teachers. In Thailand, these teachers can enjoy not only higher salaries but also better benefits (housing allowance, flight allowances, free tuition for children), and a lower cost of living compared to the UK. This makes Thai international schools highly attractive to them.

• Improving Student-Teacher Ratios: Many new schools have a student-teacher ratio of 1:7 or even lower, which is unimaginable in traditional schools. Small class sizes mean every child gets more attention.

• Increasing Teacher Professionalism: The overall upgrade of international schools means higher standards. The bar is higher; it’s no longer just about being a native English speaker. Only experienced teachers with professional teaching qualifications and a deep understanding of international curricula like IB, A-Level, and AP can get an offer.

2. World-Class Facilities

I have visited top-tier local private schools in the UK, Australia, and the US. I can say without exaggeration that the hardware facilities of international schools built in Thailand in the last 10 years are on par with, or even superior to, those in Europe and America:

• Science labs are equipped with advanced instruments for high-level scientific experiments.

• Arts centers include music studios, theaters, and art classrooms to support students’ artistic development.

• Sports facilities such as standard swimming pools, football fields, tennis courts, and gyms are all available.

• Libraries and media centers provide abundant learning resources and modern learning spaces.

3. More Diverse Curricula

Another benefit of market competition is the richness of curriculum choices:

• British Curriculum: IGCSE + A-Level

• American Curriculum: AP + American High School Diploma

• IB Curriculum: Full PYP, MYP, DP framework

• Other Curricula: Australian, Canadian, etc.

However, the local Thai market generally favors the British education system, as evidenced by the school brands entering Thailand in the next 1-3 years. This allows different families to choose the most suitable curriculum based on their child’s characteristics and future university goals.

4. Personalized Education Becomes Possible

Small class sizes, high student-teacher ratios, and abundant resources have created the conditions for personalized education.

We are seeing more and more schools start to:

• Offer personalized learning plans.

• Create specialized courses based on student interests.

• Establish comprehensive academic guidance and university counseling systems.

• Focus on student mental health and holistic development.

VIII. Opportunities and Challenges Coexist: How to Seize This Window of Opportunity

Standing here at the end of 2025, I believe the Thai international education market is in a golden window of opportunity.

Why do I say that?

In terms of opportunities:

1. Supply is upgrading, but demand is growing faster. Although many schools are being built, high-quality places are still scarce. Especially for truly high-quality schools, demand still outstrips supply. Early planning and early application remain crucial.

2. Competition brings better value. Competition among schools gives parents more room for negotiation. Some new schools offer more favorable terms on tuition and entry requirements to quickly build their reputation.

3. Educational quality is genuinely improving. This is not an empty statement. We can tangibly feel that the new generation of international schools has taken a big step forward in educational philosophy, teacher allocation, and facilities compared to ten years ago.

4. Supporting services are becoming more mature. The entire industry chain, from visa processing and housing rental to life services, extracurricular tutoring, and university planning, is maturing. This lowers the decision-making and adaptation costs for families.

In terms of challenges:

1. Information asymmetry remains severe. There are more and more schools, but reliable information channels are limited. Many parents can be easily misled by marketing rhetoric and find it difficult to judge a school’s true quality.

2. Tuition fees have an upward trend. With rising operating costs and market positioning, overall tuition fees are on an upward trend. The annual tuition for top schools has already surpassed 1 million Baht (about 220,000 RMB).

3. School quality is uneven. Not all new schools are reliable. Some are just jumping on the bandwagon quickly and are not yet mature in their educational philosophy, teacher recruitment, or management capabilities.

4. Intensifying competition raises admission barriers. Especially for top schools, in addition to tuition fees, the difficulty of entrance exams and interviews is increasing. Without early preparation, it’s very likely you won’t get into your desired school.

IX. Advice for Parents: How to Make the Optimal Choice in This Market

Based on my observations and practice over the past few years, I’d like to offer a few suggestions:

1. Plan in advance, at least 1-2 years ahead.
Don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing. Especially if your target is a top school, you need to start planning at least 1-2 years in advance:

• Understand the entry requirements of your target schools.

• Assess your child’s current level.

• Create a targeted improvement plan.

• Prepare the necessary application materials.

2. Conduct in-depth research; don’t just look at the surface.
Don’t just rely on a school’s brochures and beautiful campus. What you really need to understand is:

• How stable is the teaching staff?

• What is the quality of curriculum implementation?

• Where have previous graduates gone for university?

• What is the genuine feedback from current students and parents?
  This information often requires professional help to uncover.

3. Fit is more important than ranking.
Don’t blindly chase the “best” school; find the “most suitable” school:

• What kind of teaching style suits your child’s learning style?

• Does your family’s educational philosophy align with the school’s?

• Does the curriculum match future university goals?

• Will your child adapt to the school’s scale and atmosphere?

4. Value entrance exam preparation and transition support.
The entrance exams for Thai international schools, especially top ones, are highly competitive. Professional test preparation can significantly increase admission rates.
But test prep isn’t just about passing the exam. More importantly, it helps:

• The child adapt to the international school learning model.

• Get a head start on the content and methods of an international curriculum.

• Build confidence in a learning environment where English is the medium.

5. Follow-up services are equally important.
Getting into a school is just the beginning; there’s still a lot of support needed:

• Subject tutoring (especially in core subjects like math and science).

• Language enhancement (academic English writing, speaking, etc.).

• University planning (course selection guidance, standardized tests, university applications).

• Psychological adaptation (cross-cultural adaptation, social support, etc.).

If parents have limited time and energy, they can choose a professional service provider to offer full-process support.

X. This is Our Opportunity

After reading all this data and analysis, what I want to say is:

This upgrade of the Thai international education market is a rare historical opportunity for us, the forerunners.

Our children have the opportunity to enjoy world-class international education in the educational hub of Southeast Asia.

Our families can lay a path for our children to the world’s top universities at a relatively reasonable cost.

And we, as industry professionals, have the opportunity to truly help families in need in this booming market and realize our own value.

But opportunity favors the prepared mind.

The market is changing, and we need to be more professional.
The competition is intensifying, and we need to work harder.
The choices are increasing, and we need to be wiser.

As a professional who has been deeply involved in this industry for many years, my team and I will continue to monitor market dynamics and provide everyone with the latest, most accurate information and the most professional services.

If you are considering having your child receive international education in Thailand, or if you have any questions about this market, please feel free to reach out to me.

I am Tai Le, and let’s witness the golden age of international education in Thailand together.

Data Sources for this Article:

• Thailand Business Development Department

• Kasikorn Research Center

• International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT)

• Khaosod English

• Bangkok Post

For consultations on Thai international school applications, entrance exam tutoring, visa services, etc., please feel free to contact the Tai Le team.

We have offline training centers in both Chengdu and Bangkok, providing full-process services from application planning to subsequent academic tutoring.