Thailand’s international school sector sees surging growth

Moreover, the appeal of exclusivity, such as access to global networks, unique curricula, and an international environment, further enhances the attractiveness of international schools for families who seek more than just education, but a gateway to world-class opportunities.

According to data from DBD, the number of newly registered education businesses rose significantly from 502 companies in 2020 to 979 in 2024 —a nearly 95% increase. Registered capital also grew from 1.01 billion baht in 2020 to 1.87 billion baht in 2024. 

In the first four months of 2025 (Jan–Apr), an additional 319 new education businesses were registered, with a combined capital of 610.34 million baht.

Strong Financial Performance and Foreign Investment

The sector’s revenue performance has also been impressive. From 2021 to 2023:

2021: 33.13 billion baht

2022: 39.03 billion baht (+17.83%)

2023: 46.29 billion baht (+18.59%)

Net profits soared from 1.49 billion baht in 2021 to 5.78 billion baht in 2023, marking a 71.76% increase in the most recent year.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the education sector totaled 5.73 billion baht, with leading contributions from:

United Kingdom: 1.71 billion baht (30%)

China: 636.07 million baht (11%)

Singapore: 428.45 million baht (7%)

Other countries: 2.96 billion baht (52%)

International Schools in Focus

Research from Kasikorn Research Centre indicates that Thailand now has 257 international schools, though DBD notes that such institutions are not yet tracked under a distinct business classification. To gain deeper insight, the department analysed data from 20 leading international schools, which reported a combined revenue of 7.33 billion baht in 2023—a 28.04% increase from the previous year. This growth likely reflects both an expanding student base and increasing tuition or curricular offerings.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite strong performance, the international school sector in Thailand faces several challenges:

Declining birth rates, which may reduce student intake in the long term

Rising operational costs, particularly for teacher salaries and facilities maintenance

Increased competition from international schools in other Southeast Asian nations

Nevertheless, opportunities remain for strategic expansion, especially in targeting high-net-worth families who prioritise premium education, and in developing specialised curricula aligned with future skillsets, such as STEM, coding, and AI.

Further expansion into high-potential tourist provinces—such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya—also offers promising revenue streams, given the high density of expatriates and long-stay foreign residents.