If you are moving to Thailand with children, tuition is only the headline. A 2026 relocation guide gives rough yearly fee ranges per child: about 250,000 to 750,000 baht in Phuket, with some premium schools above 900,000. Bangkok mid-tier schools start lower, and premium and IB schools run from roughly 643,000 up past a million.
Then come the extras. Registration fees, uniforms, school buses and extracurriculars add up, and many Bangkok schools charge a one-time registration or capital levy. Ask for the full fee schedule, not the brochure number.
The guide also lists one-off costs families tend to undercount: visa fees for each family member, a housing deposit of typically two to three months' rent, school registration, and replacing household goods. It warns that first-year spending often exceeds the plan.
On visas, it quotes the Destination Thailand Visa at 500,000 baht in funds shown in a bank statement, valid five years with 180 days per stay. Each family member applies separately, and dependants can only start after the main holder is approved.
One practical tip stands out: shortlist schools before you choose a neighbourhood, because the commute decides where you rent.
A caveat: the guide is published by a visa platform, so it has a commercial interest, and it gives no admissions timelines. Contact schools directly about places and mid-year entry before you commit.