Schools and Childcare in Phuket for Expat Families (2026)

Three kinds of school

• International schools teach in English in a British, American or IB curriculum. Phuket has a number of them, more than any Thai province outside Bangkok.
• Bilingual or international-stream Thai schools teach Thai and English, follow a Thai framework and cost much less.
• Thai government schools teach in Thai, cost very little and suit children who can adapt to the language, which can take six months to a year. Foreign children can generally attend, but ask the local education office about the current rules.

Most expat families who plan to stay a short time choose an international school, while longer-term families with younger children sometimes choose a bilingual school for the language.

Typical costs

Estimates differ. One 2026 guide puts international school fees from around 250,000 baht a year at smaller bilingual schools to over 1,200,000 baht for senior years at top boarding schools. Mid-range international day schools commonly fall between about 300,000 and 500,000 baht a year, and bilingual Thai schools are far cheaper. Guides disagree about individual schools, so check each school's own published fee sheet.

On top of tuition, ask about one-off application and registration fees, refundable or non-refundable capital levies, uniforms, school bus, lunch, trips, exam fees and technology charges. Fees are normally quoted in baht and reviewed each year.

When to apply

International schools generally start in August or September, while the Thai school year starts in May or June. Some schools take mid-year entry in January. Advice for the most popular schools is to apply six to twelve months before your start date, because waiting lists can run long, and a few boarding or senior programmes have waits much longer. If you arrive mid-year, ask about places and a trial day.

Documents schools ask for

• Passport copies and your visa or long-stay visa papers.
• Proof of address in Phuket, such as a lease.
• Birth certificate, often translated into English or Thai and legalised, see our documents guide because the rules change on 28 February 2027.
• Recent school reports, translated into English where needed, and a reference letter for older children.
• Vaccination records that meet Thai requirements.

Visas for children and parents

A child at a registered school usually needs a student (Non-Immigrant ED) visa or an equivalent permission, and the school normally supplies the letters. The government allows one parent or guardian to apply for a guardian visa for each enrolled child, according to one family-visa summary, but conditions apply, so check with the school and a visa adviser. Families on a long-stay visa such as the LTR or a retirement or marriage visa should ask whether children can be added as dependants. Our visa guides explain each route, and a tourist visa does not cover a school year.

Childcare for younger children

Nurseries and kindergartens exist across Phuket, many with English-speaking staff, and some international schools take children from age three. A nanny or domestic helper is another option and costs much less than in many Western countries, but foreign helpers need the right work permission, so ask before you hire. When you visit a nursery, check the licence, staff-to-child ratio, hygiene, vaccination rules, opening hours, and what happens when a child is ill.

If you are choosing where to live, a place close to the school, with a safe route for the school bus, will save you more time than a better pool. The areas guide shows which parts of Phuket suit families.

Questions to ask every school

• What is the full annual cost, including levies and extras?
• Is there a place now, and how long is the waiting list?
• Which curriculum and exams, and what are recent results?
• Does the school provide visa support and a school bus to my area?
• What is the refund policy if we leave mid-year?
• How many children are in a class, and how does the school support children who need extra help or learn English?