I received the following query via email over the weekend:
I plan to move to BKK in October. I have a 4 yr old daughter. I would love her to go to a local school (bilingual) or get homeschooled. Can you put me in touch with any persons who can help in this regard.
I don’t know the details of any particular school, but I’m sure that there must be at least one person that reads this site who can help.
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U.S. State Department folks send their kids to the International School of Bangkok, which has an American curriculum, the New International School of Thailand, which does International Baccalaureate, or Bangkok Patana School, which is British-style. I think they’re all English language though (not bilingual), so probably aren’t exactly what you’re looking for.
You can get a list of international schools here:
http://bangkok.asiaxpat.com/atoz.asp?cat=107&id=165
Or otherwise BAMBI may have more info (though focused on pre-schools)
http://www.bambi-bangkok.org/preschool.php?menu=5
Thanks for those suggestions, I’ll send them off to the person involved when I get home in case anymore come in before then.
A google search would be the best thing to do. All international schools interested in foriegn students have a good English website up…
i know some people who went to ISB. seems like an excellent school.
don’t know much about local schools that have bilingual programs, though–they’re pretty new. my bet is that the quality at some schools might not be too good.
We don’t know much concerning the writer of this mail but i would advise keeping in mind the education fees of these international schools and particularly the ones mentioned above.
Firstly, most of the foreign parents of these international school kids have had their fees paid for them, ie. embassy or company etc…
Fees at ISB are highest in Thailand with Kindergarten 1 starting at around 675,000 baht per year (not including a possible admittance fee). Going up to 800,000 for grade 7+. Then other so-called extra fees for horse riding etc… even a plate of rice for lunch costs 50 baht there!
Bi-lingual schools are perhaps a waste of time for expats who don’t plan on permanently living in Thailand as the standard of English taught is way below western. Home tutoring would be essential in this regards. But darned, you save money. Bi-lingual schools are far cheaper than international ones.
If you are wondering why the cost of the top international schools are so expensive the reason is simple. If dad’s company is paying the fees then the schools can charge whatever they want. For American system ISB is the best, no doubts, and no more than 15% of the student population is allowed to be of Thai nationality thus keeping down the usage of Thai language within the school grounds.
I work (or worked) for a place that could help.
http://www.reed-institute.com
First, I thank Ben very much for helping me get answers to my school questions. I also thank everyone who has responded.
The international schools are not what I am looking for. Apart from the prohibitive cost, more importantly I want my child to experience interaction with ordinary Thai kids. Regular folks.
Thanks guys. You are all awesome.
Hi,
I used to live in Bangkok when I was a child. I went to the Bangkok Patana School. They had a great mix of a wide variety of nationalities, including a large number of native Thai students. I’m not sure about the cost or anything though, sorry, as I was too young to think about that sort of thing, but I really enjoyed my time there!
That’s my 2 baht, anyway ;-)