International Schools in Pattaya: A Parent's View

I have children at school in Pattaya, so I've been through choosing an international school here myself. This is my take as a parent, not a league table.

How did I choose my children's school?

Mainly on location. All the international schools are quite a way from the city centre, and when we chose, we lived close to the centre. In high season, the drive back from some of the other schools would have taken a long time.

We chose Tara Pattana. Logistics probably isn't the best reason to choose a school, but at primary age I didn't think it made much difference to go to the very best one. It's also more reasonably priced, in my opinion.

What are the main international schools around Pattaya?

Rugby School Thailand. The facilities are first class, including a 50-metre competition swimming pool. I've done 10K runs around the school, and they've recently built a golf driving range for their golf academy. My kids did a football camp there over the summer holidays, loved it, and got to use some of those facilities.

Regent's International School Pattaya. One of the older international schools in Pattaya, out on Highway 36, quite a long way from the city. A very good school.

St Andrews International School Green Valley. A lot further out. You're probably looking at over an hour on the school run back. From what I understand, it has more of a family feel.

Highgate International School Thailand. Brand new, opened in August 2026. I don't know much about it yet, though I know some of the teachers there. It runs a Man City Football School in partnership with Manchester City, which I think is a really nice touch.

There are also some smaller schools, such as Lovell International School and Hastin International School.

How much do international schools in Pattaya cost?

Budget anything from around ฿30,000 to ฿100,000 a month per child, spread over the year.

That's how I'd budget it, but it's not how you pay. Most parents pay term by term, so the bills come in big chunks. If you've got an older child at a top school costing over a million baht a year, you're getting a bill of close to ฿400,000 every term. Check each school's current fee schedule, and really do plan for it.

For more on family life here, read is Pattaya good for families?, and for the rest of your budget, Is Pattaya Expensive?

Want to work in a school? Read teaching English in Pattaya.