Bangkok has one of the largest international school markets in Southeast Asia, with more than fifty schools serving expat families and Thai families who want a global pathway. The breadth of choice is a real advantage, but it also means admissions can feel daunting. This 2026 step-by-step guide explains how to apply to international schools in Bangkok, what documents you will need, the typical timeline, and what assessment day really involves.
How admissions work in Bangkok
Most international schools in Bangkok run a single main intake in August, with a smaller second intake in January. Applications for the August intake usually open the previous September or October. The most competitive year groups, such as Year 1 and Year 7 in British schools, and Pre-K and Grade 9 in American schools, often fill four to six months ahead. For less popular years, rolling admissions are common throughout the year.
Each school sets its own application form, fees and assessment process. Expect an online application, an application fee in the order of THB 5,000 to 10,000, an assessment day with the child, and a parent meeting. The Thai Ministry of Education licenses every international school, and the school will ask you to confirm visa or work permit status as part of the process.
Documents you will need
Have these ready before you submit your application: the child's passport, copies of the parents' passports, proof of residence in Thailand or a non-immigrant visa application, the previous two years of school reports, transfer certificates from the current school, vaccination records, a recent passport photograph, and the child's birth certificate. For senior students, recent standardised test scores and a teacher reference are usually requested.
If you have not yet moved to Thailand, several Bangkok schools accept conditional applications based on a confirmed job offer. The placement is finalised once the family arrives and visas are in place. Confirm this in writing before you book flights.
Top international schools to consider
KIS International School Reignwood Park
KIS International School Reignwood Park is the second campus of the long-established KIS International School in Bangkok. It delivers the full IB continuum from PYP through to the Diploma, on a large green campus designed for outdoor learning and sport. Applications usually open early in the academic year and the school can move quickly for families with confirmed dates.
Glory Singapore International School
Glory Singapore International School follows a Singapore-based curriculum with a strong focus on mathematics and bilingual English-Mandarin teaching. The school suits families looking for an academically rigorous programme with a clear Asian curriculum identity, and admissions include a placement assessment to confirm the right level for each year group.
International School Bangkok
Founded in 1951, International School Bangkok is one of the longest-established international schools in Asia. It offers an American programme with Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma in the senior years, on a large campus in Nichada Thani. Admissions are competitive and tend to favour applications that arrive well before the August intake.
The assessment day, explained
Assessment day is usually the most worrying part of the process for parents, and the most overrated. For Pre-K and Kindergarten, expect a play-based observation lasting one to two hours. The school is looking at curiosity, social interaction and basic English exposure, not at formal academic skills. For Years 1 to 6, children sit short tests in English reading and writing, mathematics and reasoning, with a small group activity. For Years 7 and above, expect a CAT4 or equivalent reasoning test, an English written task and a brief subject conversation. Some schools also include a parent interview at this point.
The school will normally confirm the outcome within one to two weeks. If your child is offered a place, you will have a defined window, usually two weeks, to accept and pay the deposit. If the assessment shows the child needs language support, the school may offer a place with conditions or recommend a delayed start.
Fees and what to expect
International school fees in Bangkok span a wide range. As a 2026 reference, Pre-K and Kindergarten sit in the THB 350,000 to 600,000 range, primary years THB 500,000 to 800,000, lower secondary THB 600,000 to 950,000, and the IB Diploma or American senior years THB 750,000 to 1,100,000. The most established names in Nichada and central Bangkok push the upper end of these ranges.
Beyond tuition, plan for a one-off enrolment fee of THB 100,000 to 250,000, a refundable deposit, transport in the order of THB 60,000 a year for door-to-door, lunches, uniforms, IB or AP exam fees in the senior years, and trips. Sibling discounts are available at most schools.
Language support for new arrivals
Most British and IB schools in Bangkok run a structured English as an Additional Language programme, particularly for Years 1 to 5. The cost is normally bundled with tuition in the early years and may be charged separately at secondary level. For older students with limited English, several schools offer an intensive English foundation year before joining the mainstream curriculum. Confirm in writing what is included before you accept a place.
Compare the full Bangkok market
To benchmark fees, curricula and reviews across the wider Bangkok market, browse the up-to-date directory at International School Advisor: Best Schools in Bangkok. The 2026 listing groups schools by curriculum and area, which makes it easier to build a balanced shortlist before campus visits.
Frequently asked questions
How early should we start applying to schools in Bangkok?
For competitive year groups, aim for nine months ahead of the intended start date. For other year groups, six months is usually enough. Bangkok has a deep market, so families who arrive late often find acceptable second-choice options.
Do international schools in Bangkok offer scholarships?
A small number of schools offer academic, sports and arts scholarships in the senior years. These are competitive and usually require external test scores. Sibling discounts and corporate partnership rates are more widely available than scholarships.
Can my child enrol mid-year?
Yes. Bangkok schools accept mid-year enrolments where places are available, particularly outside the most competitive entry points. The application timeline is shorter for mid-year, but the documentation requirements are the same.