International school admissions in Bangkok work differently from most global cities: intakes are rolling, the market is large and varied, and good schools still have places at surprising times of the year. That flexibility is a gift for relocating families, but it hides real deadlines at the most selective schools. This 2026 guide explains the timelines, documents, assessments and deposits you need to plan for, plus practical advice for families arriving mid-year.
How Admissions Work in Bangkok
Bangkok hosts one of Asia's biggest international school markets, with well over a hundred schools teaching British, American, IB, Singaporean and bilingual programmes. Most follow an August to June academic year, and unlike Dubai or Singapore, many accept applications year-round with entry possible at the start of any term. The exceptions are the long-established top-tier schools, where waiting pools form for popular year groups a full year ahead. A sensible strategy is to apply to one aspirational school early and keep two flexible schools as strong alternatives.
The Typical Timeline
For August entry at selective schools: applications open the previous August to October, assessments run from November to February, and offers land between January and April. For everyone else: apply three to six months ahead, complete assessment within two to four weeks, and receive a decision days later. Mid-year admissions are genuinely normal in Bangkok because corporate rotations drive constant turnover, so families arriving in January routinely find good places.
Documents and Assessments
Prepare passports and Thai visas or work permit evidence, two years of school reports, immunisation records, passport photos and, for some schools, confidential teacher references. Assessments usually combine MAP or CAT4 testing with English and maths tasks and an interview; younger children attend observed play sessions. English-language support (EAL) is widely available, but the strongest schools cap EAL places per class, which is often the real constraint on entry rather than academic level.
Featured Schools with Strong Admissions Support
KIS International School Reignwood Park
KIS Reignwood Park opened in 2024 as one of Bangkok's most ambitious campuses: a full IB continuum school on a vast green site in the north of the city, with boarding options and facilities designed for the next few decades rather than the last few. Its admissions team is well set up for international relocations, with online assessment available before you arrive in Thailand, and places still exist across most year groups as the campus grows into its capacity.
Glory Singapore International School
Glory brings the Singapore curriculum, renowned for its mathematics and science outcomes, to Bangkok families at accessible fees. Admissions are straightforward and fast: an application, recent reports and a placement test in English and maths, with decisions typically inside two weeks. It is a strong fit for families who value academic structure and bilingual English-Chinese exposure.
Beyond these, Bangkok's wider landscape includes long-established names in the premium tier and dozens of solid mid-market British and American schools across Sukhumvit, Sathorn and the riverside; the full picture is easiest to compare on a single ranking page.
Fees, Deposits and What to Negotiate
Application fees run THB 3,000 to 7,500 and are non-refundable. On acceptance, schools charge a one-off registration or campus development fee, commonly THB 100,000 to 250,000 at mid and premium schools, plus a refundable deposit. Annual tuition spans roughly THB 250,000 at value-focused schools to over THB 1,000,000 at the top tier's senior years. Ask about sibling discounts, founding-family rates at newer campuses and corporate agreements; in a market this competitive, admissions teams have more flexibility than their published fee schedules suggest.
Compare admissions requirements, verified fees and parent reviews across the best schools in Bangkok on International School Advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child join a Bangkok international school mid-year?
Yes. Rolling admissions are standard in Bangkok and mid-year entry is common due to corporate turnover. The most selective schools may hold waiting pools for certain year groups, but strong alternatives almost always have places.
What tests do Bangkok international schools use for admissions?
Most use MAP or CAT4 alongside English and maths tasks and an interview; early years applicants attend play-based observation. EAL support exists at most schools, though places per class are often capped.
How much are admission fees and deposits in Bangkok?
Application fees are THB 3,000 to 7,500. On acceptance expect a one-off registration or development fee of THB 100,000 to 250,000 at mid and premium schools, plus a refundable deposit, before annual tuition of THB 250,000 to 1,000,000+.