Panyaden International School vs Singapore International School - Chiangmai
Panyaden International School and Singapore International School - Chiangmai are both in Chiang Mai, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer EYFS programmes. Panyaden International School also offers IB, IPC, IMYC and British, and Singapore International School - Chiangmai also offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Singapore. Published annual fees are close, at THB 303,000 - 571,000 for Panyaden International School and THB 324,300 - 564,300 for Singapore International School - Chiangmai. Both take pupils from 2 to 18. Panyaden International School is the larger school, with around 405 pupils to Singapore International School - Chiangmai's 280. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Singapore Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
405
Pupils
280
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Thai
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
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Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Panyaden International School is located in the Hang Dong district, about 15 minutes south of Chiang Mai city centre, in a semi-rural setting surrounded by rice fields and greenery. It is accessible by local road networks, with parents commonly using a car, bicycle, or a parent‑organised bus.
Location
The school is located in Si Phum, the historic central district of Chiang Mai, roughly 400 m west of the Chang Phuak city gate, near Wat Lok Molee and Wat Pa Phrao Nai. It lies within walking distance of city-centre amenities and is accessible by local roads from the Old City.
Stages
Stages
The school offers education from Nursery (about age 2) through Early Years (Kindergarten), Primary, Middle School (Years 7–9), and Secondary through to Year 13 (IB Diploma).
Stages
The school serves children aged 2 to 18 years, structured into Nursery–Kindergarten (2 – 6 years), Primary School (6 – 12 years), Secondary School (12 – 16 years), and Sixth Form (16 – 18 years).
School type
School type
Panyaden is a fully co‑educational day school.
School type
SISB Chiang Mai is a co‑educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Panyaden provides language support for students needing extra help in English (ESL) or Thai (TSL). These services are assessed via WIDA tools and delivered through co‑teaching models.
Additional learning support
Singapore International School Chiangmai offers structured support for students requiring additional help in language acquisition. The school provides Chinese Learning Support (CLS) and two levels of English Learning Support (ELS1 and ELS2). These services are designed to assist students who may need extra guidance to meet the school’s trilingual curriculum expectations in English, Chinese, and Thai.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has no formal country affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school is part of the Singapore International School (SISB) group, following the Singapore and UK curricula, but operates independently in Thailand. There is no formal affiliation with the Singapore government.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any particular religion; however, Buddhist values are integrated into daily life and learning, reflecting Thai cultural traditions.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
School hours in Early Years run approximately 08:20–15:15, with optional after‑school clubs until 16:00–17:00.
School day structure
At SISB Chiangmai, the school day runs from 8:00 am, with end times varying by level: 2:30 pm for Nursery to Kindergarten, 3:30 pm for Primary (P1–P6), and 4:00 pm for Secondary and Sixth Form (G7–G12).
Bus service details
Bus service details
Panyaden does not operate its own bus; however, there is a parent‑organised school bus coordinated via the Friends of Panyaden group.
Bus service details
The Chiang Mai campus does not clearly state the availability of a school bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee: THB 3,000 (non-refundable, payable at the time of application) Admissions Fee: THB 65,000 (non-refundable, payable upon acceptance to confirm a seat)
Security Deposit Nursery – Year 6: THB 5,000 (refundable) Year 7 – 13: THB 15,000 (refundable) Note: deposits are refunded upon withdrawal with required notice and deduction of any outstanding fees.
Annual Tuition Fees Nursery – Kindergarten 2: THB 303,000 Year 1 – 2: THB 331,000 Year 3 – 4: THB 370,000 Year 5 – 6: THB 380,000 Year 7 – 9: THB 443,000 Year 10 – 11: THB 466,000 Year 12 – 13 (IB Diploma): THB 571,000
Sibling Discount 2nd child: 10% 3rd child or more: 15% Note: discounts apply automatically and are adjusted if enrollment changes during the year.
Language Support Services EAL (English): THB 25,000 per term (max 6 terms) TAL (Thai): THB 17,000 per term (max 2 terms)
Other Charges IB Exam Fees (Year 13): Approx. THB 32,000 University postage (Years 12–13): THB 1,500–2,500 per application Transcript reprints: THB 300 per additional copy
Refund Policy Annual payment: Only Term 2 refundable if withdrawal occurs during Term 1 Term payment: No refunds after term begins Medical withdrawals are considered case by case No refund for dismissal or force majeure closures
Payment Options Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, AMEX, and Alipay/WeChat Pay.
* Late fees: 1.5% monthly interest charged daily from term start for overdue payments
Sibling Discount 5% for the second child 10% for third child onward
Refund Policy A deposit refund requires 1 1-term written notice. Credited within 1 month after departure, subject to clearance of accounts. Tuition & Enrolment Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payment Methods Cash, Credit Card, Alipay/WeChat, and Bank Transfer.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Panyaden International School offers a bilingual curriculum combining international academic standards with Thai cultural values. In Early Years, the school follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework with equal instruction in Thai and English. The Primary Years (Years 1–6) use the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside the British national curriculum. For Middle School (Years 7–9), students follow the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), designed to support inquiry-based learning across subjects. From Year 10 to Year 11, students enter the Pre‑IB programme, preparing for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) offered in Years 12–13. The curriculum includes Thai language and culture, English and Thai literacy, mathematics, science, humanities, art, physical education, and music across school stages.
Curriculum details
Singapore International School Chiangmai offers a trilingual curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction, and additional instruction in Chinese and Thai. In Early Years (Nursery to Kindergarten), students follow the UK’s EYFS framework. From Primary School, the Singapore Curriculum is used, emphasising core subjects including English, Mathematics, and Science. In Secondary School, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. In Years 11–12 (Sixth Form), students undertake Cambridge International AS and A Level courses. Across all stages, the curriculum is designed to build bilingual and bicultural competencies alongside academic progression.
1. Register your interest Families are encouraged to arrange a personal visit (in-person or virtual) via the enquiry form to get a real sense of the school during term time.
2. Submit online application form Include supporting documents as requested. Application fee of THB 3,000 is payable on the assessment date.
3. Receive decision and offer Panyaden reviews the application and will notify families once a place is available.
4. Complete enrollment Accept the offer, pay required enrolment fee, and complete paperwork to confirm the place.
Admissions
1. Get in Touch Contact the school by phone or submit an online inquiry to discuss your child’s educational needs. You can also book a school tour to visit the campus and speak with the admissions team in person.
2. Submit Application Form Complete the SISB application form and submit all required documents as advised by the Admissions Office. These typically include identification, past school reports, and health records.
3. Take an Assessment After the application is reviewed, SISB will schedule an assessment and an interview for your child. The format may vary depending on the year level, with younger students often assessed through observation.
4. Admission Decision Families will be informed of the admissions outcome by phone or email. If a place is offered, you will receive a formal letter of acceptance.
6. Payment of School Fees Pay the applicable tuition and enrolment fees according to the instructions provided by the Admissions Office.
7. Enrollment Once fees are settled and documents are complete, your child is officially enrolled.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Panyaden Secondary Scholarship Programme offers scholarships of up to 100% tuition for high-achieving students entering Years 7 to 11 or the IB Diploma. It also includes additional waivers (e.g., 30%) for early applicants supported by the Erber Family Foundation. These opportunities are selective and typically announced once a year.
Scholarships
SISB does not currently promote any active scholarship programs; however, SISB Chiang Mai has previously conducted secondary scholarship examinations offering up to 100% tuition scholarships for successful applicants in Grades 7–9 (Lower Secondary / IGCSE levels). These scholarship opportunities were campus-specific and not part of a regular annual program. They were typically promoted through open house events or regional education fairs, allowing selected students to receive partial or full tuition waivers based on academic performance and assessment outcomes.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
Waitlist
The school does not officially publish a waitlist policy, but admissions are clearly noted to be “subject to availability”, indicating that places may not always be open.
