In short: Pattaya's leading international schools for international families are Regents International School Pattaya and Rugby School Thailand, both offering a British curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels) as well as the IB, with more than 50 nationalities. Day-school fees for 2025/2026 range from roughly 436,000 to 829,000 THB, equivalent to around 11,000 to 22,000 euros per year. Ideally, families choose the school first and then a home with several bedrooms and a short commute to school in Jomtien or Pratumnak.
Many still think of Pattaya as a place to retire, but that picture is no longer entirely accurate. More and more younger families are moving here, often as digital nomads or entrepreneurs working remotely. For them, one question is decisive: where will the children go to school? The good news is that Pattaya offers high-quality international schools that make relocating with children possible in the first place.
In this article I will give you an overview of the international school landscape in Pattaya. Which schools there are, which curricula they offer, what fees you should expect, and which areas are good places for families to live. That way you can think about the school, the location and the property purchase together from the very start.
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Pattaya as a place for families
Anyone who knows Pattaya only as a party strip underestimates the city. Away from the well-known nightlife districts, there are quiet, family-friendly neighbourhoods with beaches, parks, international supermarkets and, indeed, good schools. Jomtien, Pratumnak and the northern areas in particular offer a relaxed setting for families.
On top of that, the Long-Term Resident Visa and the Destination Thailand Visa make a longer stay easier for younger remote workers and entrepreneurs. For families who want to live in Thailand for a few years or permanently, choosing a school is the first step. I describe which areas are suitable for living in my article on the neighbourhoods for owner-occupiers.
- Regents International School Pattaya: British, IB and A-Levels, day school and boarding
- Rugby School Thailand: British, boarding only, large landscaped campus
- Curricula: British (IGCSE, A-Level) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
- More than 50 nationalities at the larger schools
Regents International School Pattaya
Regents International School Pattaya is one of the most established international schools in the region and part of a worldwide network of schools. It offers the complete educational path, from early years (EYFS) through the primary stage (IPC) and the middle years with IGCSE up to the sixth form, where both the International Baccalaureate (IBDP) and A-Levels are offered. The school teaches children from more than 50 nations.
The facilities are impressive: two swimming pools, an air-conditioned sports hall, covered artificial turf, a running track, a football pitch, a 350-seat theatre and a well-equipped music area. Boarding is offered from the age of eight, so that families with more flexible living arrangements can also find a solution.
Rugby School Thailand
Rugby School Thailand is the Thai offshoot of the historic British Rugby School and follows the British curriculum with GCSE and IGCSE as well as A-Levels in the sixth form. It is a boarding school only; all pupils live on campus.
The campus stretches across some 80 hectares of countryside, the largest school campus in Thailand, about 70 minutes from Bangkok airport and 20 minutes from the east coast. The fees are all-inclusive and cover tuition, accommodation, meals and most activities. Scholarships of up to 20 percent off are available for gifted pupils. For families looking for a classic British boarding school, Rugby School is a premium option.
Cost overview: the school fees
International education comes at a price, and that should be factored in from the outset. Here is an overview of the annual fees for the two large schools, as of 2025/2026. The exact amounts depend on the year group and the programme.
| School | Annual fee | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Regents International (day school) | around 436,000 to 829,000 THB | Day school, boarding optional from age 8 |
| Regents boarding (additional) | around 422,000 THB | Boarding places from Year 3 |
| Rugby School Thailand | around 552,000 to 1,445,000 THB | Boarding only, all-inclusive |
Converted, the day-school fees range roughly between 11,000 and 22,000 euros per year and child, with boarding correspondingly higher. That is a significant item in a family budget, but it is in line with comparable international schools worldwide. Anyone with several children should take this into account when planning overall and when setting the property budget. You will find an overview of the cost of living in my article on the subject.
Where families are best off living
When choosing where to live as a family, three things come together: proximity to the school, a quiet setting and child-friendly infrastructure. The international schools are usually a little outside the centre, in quieter areas towards the east and south.
For families, what matters is not the busiest beach, but the combination of quiet, safety and a short commute to school.
Alexander ReifenschneiderPopular family areas include Jomtien with its wide beach and quiet atmosphere, as well as the upscale, quiet districts in the north. When choosing a property, families are often better off with a larger unit with several bedrooms rather than a studio. I describe which apartment size makes sense in my article on the neighbourhoods for owner-occupiers.
How families plan the move the right way
A move with children needs to be well prepared. This sequence has proven its worth.
1. School first. Choose the school, visit it and arrange admission before you decide where to live. The school often determines the best location.
2. Location next. Look for a home with a good commute to school and enough space for the family.
3. Sort out the visa. Check the right visa for the family. You will find details in my visa guide.
4. Think about the budget as a whole. Calculate school fees, housing and living costs together. In my free Pattaya Property Guide you will find an overview. A no-obligation initial consultation is free of charge for buyers, including with a view to family areas.
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