International School Fees in Koh Samui: 2026 Cost Guide for Families

Quick answer: How much do international schools in Koh Samui cost in 2026? Tuition at international schools in Koh Samui runs from roughly THB 200,000 a year at smaller primary schools to about THB 750,000 in the senior years of the island's all-through British schools. On top, budget for a one-off entrance fee, often THB 30,000 to 100,000, plus transport, lunch and uniforms.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Koh Samui has become a real option for families who want island life without giving up a solid international education. Remote workers, hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs have all helped the school market grow, and today the island has a handful of well regarded international schools. This guide sets out realistic international school fees in Koh Samui for 2026, explains the one-off costs that catch newcomers out and compares five schools from our directory.

Island life and school logistics

Samui is a small island of around 230 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand, part of Surat Thani province. Families tend to live in Bophut and Maenam on the north coast, around Chaweng and Chaweng Noi in the east, in Lamai in the south east, or in quieter inland areas such as Na Muang. The ring road links everything, but it gets busy in high season and rain can slow it down in the late monsoon months, so a school within 20 minutes of home makes daily life easier.

The island's airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, which keeps flights convenient but relatively expensive. Families often fly out through Surat Thani on the mainland for cheaper connections, which is worth factoring into holiday plans and school calendars.

Visa options have also changed who moves here. The Destination Thailand Visa, introduced on 15 July 2024, allows remote workers and their dependants long stays on a five-year multiple entry visa, and many of the island's newer school families arrived on it.

What curricula are available

British curriculum. The English National Curriculum or Cambridge International, leading to IGCSE and, at some schools, A Levels.
Blended Cambridge and UK programmes. Common at smaller schools that run to Year 9 or lower secondary.
French curriculum. Available through a school homologated by the French Ministry of Education.
Thai language and culture. Taught in all licensed schools, as required by Thai regulations.

Five Koh Samui schools and how they compare

International School of Samui

International School of Samui in Bophut describes itself as the island's longest serving, fully accredited international school, teaching a British curriculum to all nationalities from age 2 to 18. As an all-through school it sits at the upper end of island fees, but families avoid having to move school for the exam years.

PanyaDee, the British International School of Samui

PanyaDee in Chaweng Noi offers preschool, primary and secondary education to children from the international community and Thai families living on the island. It is an approved Cambridge International Centre and follows the Cambridge International Curriculum as a non-denominational school.

Lamai International School

Lamai International School (LIS) opened in January 2016 and runs classes from Foundation to Year 9 using a blended Cambridge and UK National Curriculum. With more than 30 parent ratings averaging 4.7 on our directory, it is one of the best reviewed schools on the island and usually sits in the middle of the fee range.

Windfield International School

Windfield International School in Lamai is part of a group that also runs the French international school of Koh Samui, one of only three schools in Thailand homologated by the French Ministry of Education. That makes the campus a strong choice for French speaking and bilingual families.

Greenacre International School

Greenacre International School sits in the quiet Na Muang area near the waterfalls. It is co-educational from Foundation stage to Lower Secondary and has a clear green ethos, preparing children for a more sustainable future. Smaller schools like this often offer lower fees and a close, family atmosphere.

International school fees in Koh Samui for 2026

Indicative annual tuition for 2026:

Early years and kindergarten: roughly THB 150,000 to 350,000.
Primary at smaller schools: roughly THB 200,000 to 400,000.
Primary and lower secondary at all-through schools: roughly THB 350,000 to 550,000.
IGCSE and senior years: roughly THB 500,000 to 750,000.

A useful hard fact: in Thailand, educational services provided by licensed schools are exempt from VAT, so no 7% is added to tuition. Other charges, such as some activities, may be treated differently.

One-off and recurring extras:

Application or assessment fee, usually THB 3,000 to 5,000.
Entrance or enrolment fee, often THB 30,000 to 100,000, paid once when your child joins.
Annual development or facilities fee at some schools.
School bus, roughly THB 25,000 to 45,000 a year depending on distance.
Lunch, uniforms, trips, swimming and IGCSE exam fees.

Tips to keep costs under control

Ask for the full first year cost. The entrance fee can make year one 20% to 30% more expensive than later years. Put the complete figure into your relocation budget.

Check term by term payment options. Many island schools allow termly payments, which helps families on seasonal incomes, although some give a discount for paying the year upfront.

Think about the long run. If your child will stay into the IGCSE years, compare the total cost of an all-through school with the cost of a cheaper primary school followed by a later move.

Weigh island costs against mainland alternatives. Some families compare Samui with Phuket or Bangkok, where the choice of schools is much wider. Fees at comparable British schools on Samui are usually lower than at the premium schools in Bangkok, but the choice of sixth form options is narrower. If A Levels or the IB Diploma matter to you, ask each school where its Year 11 leavers continue and whether boarding in Bangkok is a common route.

Remember the hidden seasonal costs. Island life brings its own expenses, from swimming lessons, which many schools include as a safety priority, to extra transport during the rainy season. Build a small buffer into the school budget for these.

Compare schools across Thailand

To compare ratings, reviews and facilities, explore our ranking of the best schools in Thailand and contact schools directly from their profiles.

More guides to schools in Koh Samui

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest international school option in Koh Samui?

Smaller schools that run to Year 9 or lower secondary, such as those in Lamai and Na Muang, tend to charge less, often around THB 200,000 to 400,000 a year for primary. All-through British schools cost more, particularly in the IGCSE years. Always compare the full first year cost including entrance fees.

Is VAT added to school fees in Thailand?

No. Educational services provided by licensed schools are exempt from VAT in Thailand, so the 7% rate is not added to tuition. Some other charges, such as certain activities or services from third parties, may carry VAT, so check the fee schedule.

Can children on a Destination Thailand Visa attend school in Koh Samui?

The Destination Thailand Visa, introduced in July 2024, covers the main applicant and dependants, and many families on it enrol their children in island schools. Rules can change, so confirm with the Thai immigration office and ask the school which visa documents it needs for enrolment.