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 4 international schools in Chiang mai, Thailand. Filter by curriculum, fees (average THB 420,719), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Located near Mae Hia Market in suburban Chiang Mai, APIS’s Primary Campus welcomes children aged 3 to 12 (Pre‑Nursery through Grade 6). Opened as a dedicated campus in 2014, it delivers the IB Primary Years Programme, guiding students through inquiry-based learning structured around six transdisciplinary themes, with the culminating PYP Exhibition. English is the language of instruction, and students also engage in additional languages, reflecting the school-wide language offerings. No boarding is available at this campus—local day students can access optional bus transport. Though precise class sizes and enrolment numbers aren’t published, the overall school community spans over 400 students—a diverse, co‑educational environment. Leadership at the Primary Campus is headed by Primary School Principal Stephanie Dracz with School Director Ladda A. Mahidi, providing oversight of curriculum and community engagement.
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.
Prem Tinsulanonda International School was founded as part of the Traidhos Three-Generation Community for Learning by Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul, and named in honor of General Prem Tinsulanonda. Located on a 100-acre campus in Mae Rim, northern Chiang Mai, it serves both day and boarding students aged 3 to 19 years. The school follows the full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, offering PYP in early years through Grade 5, MYP for Grades 6–10, the IB Diploma Programme (DP), and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) for Grades 11–12. Facilities of the school include boarding apartments, six science labs, multiple sports fields, an Olympic-size pool, indoor sports hall, tennis, cricket and golf facilities, forest and farm-based learning areas, art and drama studios, an amphitheatre, auditorium, cookery school, medical centre, and design workshop.
American Pacific International School’s Main Campus, located 25 km southwest of Chiang Mai, serves students in Grades 5–12 through the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The rural campus is surrounded by rice fields and foothills, supporting outdoor education through the “Classroom Without Walls” initiative. With small class sizes, the school offers a personalized learning environment for around 400 students from more than 20 nationalities. English is the language of instruction, with additional languages taught including Thai, Mandarin, Spanish, and Japanese. The Main Campus also houses four residential boarding houses, offering weekly and full-time options. Students engage in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) projects as part of the IB programme. Led by Principal Shaun Henriksen, the campus integrates academics with experiential learning and service initiatives in a co-educational, international setting. Transportation services are available for day students.
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