BANGKOK — Parents in Thailand increasingly choose international education over traditional curriculum despite slower growth and fewer new school openings, says Kasikorn Research Center. Dr. Temyot Pandajphong of Denla School points out that today, parents focus on skills, educational quality and the environment for their children.
According to the Kasikorn Research Center, the international school sector in Thailand is expected to grow by 9.7% by 2025, generating revenues of 95 billion baht ($2.8 billion). Although growth has slowed compared to last year (13.1%), mainly due to fewer new schools opening, only eight this year, five fewer than last year, the sector remains robust.
Meanwhile, the number of Thai students continues to decline due to the falling birth rate. This decline primarily affects state schools and private schools following the Thai curriculum, which are expected to shrink by 1.1% and 1.2% respectively. The average tuition fee per year for international schools in Thailand is around 764,484 baht ($22,900).
Dr. Temyot, owner of Denla School Rama 5, which was established in 2006 on over 20 rai (3.2 hectares), shared his insights in an interview with Prachachat Business. The main reason for the growth of international schools, he said, was a clear shift by parents away from the Thai Ministry of Education’s curriculum.
“If parents can afford it, they now prefer to send their children to international schools,” says Dr. Temyot. “We have seen significant changes in the last ten years. Parents used to have concerns about preserving the Thai language and cultural traditions. These concerns have diminished and have been replaced by a focus on skills, educational quality and the environment.”
Safety, mental and physical health, enjoyment of school, bullying prevention, quality of nutrition, adequate facilities, and emotional and social intelligence scores have also become critical factors for parents.
Kasikorn Research Center has cited several reasons why international schools continue to thrive despite declining birth rates in Thailand:
- Increasing preference for constantly updated foreign curricula over the traditional Thai curriculum.
- Increasing financial ability of parents to invest in education, which is reflected in projections showing a 24% increase in the number of Thai individuals with assets of more than 36 million baht (USD 1 million) between 2023 and 2028.
- A steady increase of 0.6% per year on average over the last ten years in foreign executives moving to Thailand and bringing their children with them.
In 2024, Thailand’s international school sector saw growth, with 249 schools enrolling 77,734 students. This represents a 10% increase compared to 2023, when 236 schools had 70,200 students, according to data from the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC).
Entrepreneurial Mindset Embedded in Education
The Denla School Group, founded in 1979, currently operates three school models with around 4,000 students:
- Denla Kindergarten with two branches — Rama 5 (Denla Rama 5) and Phetkasem (Denla School Phetkasem) — offering two curricula: Denla Integrated Program (DIP) and English Program (DEP).
- DLTS International School, with two branches in Rama 5 and Phetkasem.
- DBS Denla British School, located on 60 rai (9.6 hectares) on Ratchaphruek Road, offers British curriculum classes for ages 2-18, from pre-school to grade 13.
DBS emphasizes an extended British curriculum tailored to Thai society, with rigorous academics, extended school hours and numerous opportunities in music, sports, academics and exploration of personal interests.
Dr. Temyot emphasized that Denla School graduates have solid communication skills, a broad range of knowledge, a well-rounded personality and the courage to engage in diverse learning experiences, along with a solid understanding of Thai culture and language. He emphasizes the importance of teaching entrepreneurial thinking to all students:
“We don’t expect every child to become an entrepreneur. However, entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, self-discovery and the courage to try new things are important qualities that we want to encourage.”
Thailand invests a lot in education, but the results often fall short of expectations. This is mainly due to fundamental mindsets that influence the design of the system.
“In Thailand, the predominant value is learning to pass exams, not to acquire real knowledge,” Dr. Temyot said. “I once taught students and when a student asked if the topic would be on the exam and I replied ‘no’, he immediately lost interest. This mindset was a major reason why I stopped teaching at college, because it hindered my ability to deliver meaningful education.”
“This cultural value is deeply rooted in the historical mindset that equates higher education with social success. As a result, the government and private sector have created regulations that support these values, often explicitly tying job placements to degrees or educational qualifications.”
“Our people study primarily to gain qualifications, not to gain real skills or expertise,” Dr. Temyot concluded. “I wonder if pursuing degrees without gaining truly relevant skills and knowledge justifies the time, energy, money and commitment invested over four years.”
________
