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Thailand's education and school system is most definitely two-tier. On the one hand, Thailand has some of the best international schools in Asia. On the other hand, Thailand's domestic education system, with its emphasis on a "rote" learning system, is not seen as being of a standard expected in the West.

The overriding problem with Thailand's education system as an expat is that, unless you live in Bangkok or a major tourist destination, it is hard to find an international school, and one is reliant on the Thai schooling system. Another factor to consider regarding the international school system is the cost. It is not unheard of for international schools in Thailand to demand upwards of $10,000 a year for education fees (not inclusive of extra curricular activities). As a result, it is now becoming competitively priced to send children to boarding schools in Australia and New Zealand. More to the point, many Western companies operating in Thailand have now withdrawn paying children's school fees from their expatriate employee's packages.

Having said all of this, provided you are happy to send your child to a Thai school, the costs are minimal (compared to the Western schools) and a number of Thai schools now include English language programmes whereby all classes are taught in English.

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