Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
Chiang Mai attracts families who want a different Thailand from Bangkok — cooler mountain weather, a laid-back creative culture, and a cost of living that makes international schooling genuinely affordable. The city has a tight-knit expat community centred around the old city and Nimman areas. Schools like Prem Tinsulanonda and CMIS have strong reputations, and tuition can start as low as THB 180,000 per year. Many digital nomad and remote-working families have chosen Chiang Mai specifically for this combination of quality schooling and low costs.
Compare 6 international schools in Chiang mai, Thailand. Filter by curriculum, fees (average THB 377,325), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Varee Chiangmai International School (VCIS) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, established its international programme in 2010 serving students aged 2 to 18. VCIS follows the British national curriculum, offering Cambridge IGCSEs in Years 10–11 and Cambridge AS & A Levels in Years 12–13. Located on Mahidol Road in the Nong Hoi district, the school sits within a green Chiang Mai neighbourhood approximately 10–15 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai. Instruction is in English, with Thai and Mandarin taught in Primary; and Thai, Mandarin, and German offered in Secondary Venture Campus International School, VCIS features dedicated digital learning resources—classroom-connected devices, three computer labs, and a 3D-printing facility—with subjects like visual arts, drama, and design built into the curriculum from Year 1 to Year 13. The school supports the Duke of Edinburgh Award, student council leadership, community service programmes, and formal careers education, helping students prepare for university applications globally.
Lanna International School Thailand started as a small homeschool setup. Over time, it developed into a full international school for students aged 2 to 18. In 2018, the school relocated to a single campus in the Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai. This allowed the school to place all age groups on one site. The student body includes children from many different countries and currently serves about 1,000 students. The school uses a British-based curriculum. Young children follow the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), and the primary years use Cambridge Primary and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Secondary students take Cambridge IGCSE exams and can continue with AS and A Levels. There is also an option to earn an American High School Certificate. The campus includes science and STEAM labs, libraries, art and music rooms, a gym, football field, swimming pool, and outdoor play and sports areas.
British Concordance International School (BCIS), established in August 2022 in Chiang Mai, offers education from Pre‑Nursery through Year 13 under the British curriculum framework. Courses include IGCSEs in Years 10–11, Pearson/Edexcel A‑Levels in Years 12–13, and BTEC Tech Awards as vocational pathways. With English as the sole medium of instruction, BCIS emphasises enquiry‑based learning, small class groupings, and student well‑being. Currently enrolling just over 200 students, the school is poised to expand into a new campus in 2025. Its academic programme is designed to support individual learning profiles with community values such as curiosity, creativity, and global citizenship. The school underscores a caring, inclusive culture where each child is encouraged to engage in arts, student leadership (Student Council), and personal growth initiatives. While specific details on language options beyond English are not provided, the structure aligns with UK standards for offering modern and cultural language exposure across age groups.
SBS International School Chiangmai is a co-educational day school located in the Hang Dong district, approximately 12 kilometers southwest of Chiang Mai city center. Founded in 2014, the school welcomes students from ages 2 to 18 and offers a Cambridge-based international curriculum. Programs begin with Early Years and progress through Cambridge Primary, IGCSE, and A Level qualifications in the Sixth Form. English is the primary language of instruction, and students also study Thai and Mandarin as part of the academic program. Class sizes are capped at 30 students to support focused and engaged learning. The school currently serves more than 485 students. At the upper secondary level, students can pursue specialized academic tracks in science, engineering, medicine, and business. These strands are supported by facilities such as a medical simulation center and offer hands-on learning through internships, mentorships, and applied projects, preparing students for targeted university and career pathways.
Panyaden International School, located just south of Chiang Mai in Hang Dong district, is a bilingual day school serving children aged 2 to 18. Established in May 2011. From Years 1–6, students follow the British‑aligned International Primary Curriculum alongside Thai culture and language instruction. Years 7–9 engage with the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), which prepares them for the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13. The school community includes around 405 students representing more than 30 nationalities, taught by bilingual Thai and English‑speaking teachers. The curriculum emphasises values such as respect, responsibility, and environmental mindfulness, drawn from Buddhist principles. A notable feature is the combination of service and sustainability projects integrated across stages. The IB Diploma is offered by authorised faculty, and the school’s green campus environment and values-based approach are foundational and unique.
Meritton British International School in Chiang Mai opened in 2018 and offers day education for children aged 2 to roughly 16 (Pre‐Nursery to Year 11). Located on the edge of Chiang Mai’s old city, the campus is surrounded by greenery and within easy reach of the city centre and nearby mountains. The school uses English as the main language, with Thai taught according to national guidelines and Mandarin for older students. It begins with the UK’s EYFS framework, then transitions to the Cambridge Primary International Curriculum, followed by Cambridge Lower Secondary, and the new IGCSE programme in Years 10–11. From 2026, the school plans to introduce Cambridge International AS & A Level. Classes remain small, with a community of around 300 pupils. Principal Gary Booth leads a team of mostly native-English qualified teachers. The school’s Values-based Education programme—Thailand’s first VbE Quality Mark awardee—combines regular values lessons, mindfulness practices, enquiry-based learning and life‑skills projects, making it a distinctive offering for families seeking character‑focused international schooling.
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