When Does International School Start in Thailand? A 2027 Guide

Most international schools in Thailand begin their academic year in August, running through to June. Thai government schools work to a very different calendar, shaped by climate rather than tradition: the school year starts in mid-May, as the rainy season cools things down, and finishes in late February or early March, before the hottest weather sets in.

The two systems sit roughly three months apart, so families comparing a local and an international place shouldn't expect the term dates to line up. For 2027 to 2028, international schools should hold a similar August window, though exact dates are usually confirmed only around 12 months out.

Why the dates are so different

Thailand's official school year is officially dated in the Buddhist Era calendar, 543 years ahead of the Gregorian one, so the 2027 to 2028 year is recorded locally as B.E. 2570. More practically, the local May start exists to work around the weather: term one runs through the rainy season, breaks around September to October, then term two runs into the cooler months before the long March-to-May break avoids the worst of the heat. International schools in Bangkok generally ignore this entirely, running an August-to-June year that follows whichever curriculum they teach, British, American or IB.

Term dates and key holidays

Within the August-to-June international school year, you can generally expect:

• October break: Roughly two to three weeks, timed differently to the Thai public school October break, which runs from early October.
• Winter break: Around two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
• Songkran: Thailand's New Year in mid-April is a national holiday, and every school in the country closes for it regardless of calendar.
• Local festivals: Depending on the region, additional days off are common around events like Loy Krathong, which varies by province.
• Plan ahead: International schools in Bangkok each run slightly different calendars depending on curriculum, so check directly with the school rather than assuming a shared pattern.

What to prepare, and from when

Five popular international schools in Thailand

Pan-Asia International School, Bangkok. American curriculum transitioning to IB Middle Years and Diploma, ages 2 to 18, around 470 pupils. THB 355,000 to 545,000 a year (approx. USD 11,000 to 17,000).

Dulwich College International School Bangkok, Bangkok. British curriculum with an IB Diploma pathway, ages 3 to 18, opened August 2026. THB 687,000 to 1,070,000 a year (approx. USD 21,400 to 33,300). Runs weekly small-group open house mornings.

St Andrews International School Bangkok, High School Campus, Bangkok. IGCSE leading to IB Diploma or BTEC, ages 11 to 18, around 1,100 pupils. THB 400,700 to 849,100 a year (approx. USD 12,500 to 26,400).

Sarasas Ektra School, Bangkok. Bilingual Thai-English day school with an American-curriculum stream, ages 3 to 17, around 2,900 pupils. THB 67,000 to 151,200 a year (approx. USD 2,100 to 4,700).

Prem International School, Chiang Mai. Full IB continuum, day and boarding, ages 3 to 19, around 500 pupils. THB 399,000 to 780,000 a year (approx. USD 12,400 to 24,300).

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Check school availability in Thailand on doris

Schools in Thailand may have waiting lists for certain year groups, so it helps to prepare well ahead of your preferred start date.

Start by exploring schools in Thailand on doris and opening the profiles of those on your shortlist. You can review admissions details and, where available, check availability or send an enquiry to ask about places, waiting lists and application requirements. Include your child’s age and intended start date so the school can give you relevant guidance.

Start your school search early to give your family more time to explore options and prepare your application.

FAQ

What month does international school usually start in Thailand? Most international schools start in August. Thai government schools start in May, timed to the start of the rainy season.

What are the term dates for schools in Thailand? Thai public schools run two semesters, mid-May to early October and late October to late February or March. International schools generally run August to June, split into semesters or terms depending on curriculum.

Does the international school year in Thailand match the local school year? No. The two run around three months apart. Both close for major national holidays such as Songkran, but term breaks otherwise follow separate schedules.

When should we start applying for a 2027 start in Thailand? Around 12 months ahead, particularly for younger year groups at popular Bangkok schools where places go quickly.

Why does the Thai school year start in May rather than the usual northern hemisphere pattern? It's built around the climate. The May start lets the first semester run through the cooler, rainy months, avoiding the hottest weeks of the year in March and April.

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This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school academic calendars and fee pages, Thailand Ministry of Education.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.