Samui has essentially two established international schools — both British-curriculum, both near Bophut — and a handful of smaller bilingual options. That is enough for many families and a genuine constraint for others. Here are the real 2026 fee ranges, how admission works, and an honest read on whether the island's school choice fits your child.
Both of Samui's established international schools follow a British curriculum, run from early years to age 18, and sit in the north / north-east near Bophut — the same cluster where most expat families live. PBISS is the premium British option; ISS, founded in 2007, offers Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level at a lower fee band. Fees below are the 2026 (2025/26) ranges from each school's published bands; always confirm the current figure, plus any capital levy, lunch, bus and uniform costs, directly with the school.
| School | Curriculum | Ages | Annual fees (2026) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PanyaDee — The British International School of Samui (PBISS) | British (English National Curriculum) | 3–18 | ฿267,000 (pre-K) · ฿291,000–335,000 (primary) · ฿394,000–508,000 (secondary) | Bophut |
| The International School of Samui (ISS) | British National Curriculum · Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level | 3–18 | ฿189,000–282,000 | Near Bophut / Chaweng side |
Fee bands are 2025/26 figures and vary by year group; PBISS's overall band has been cited from roughly ฿214,900 up into the ฿390,000s and higher for senior years. Confirm exact fees, levies and extras with each school directly.
Admission is generally rolling rather than tied to one annual intake, which suits relocating families arriving mid-year. Expect an application form, previous school reports, possibly an assessment or informal interview, and a registration or admission fee. At PBISS there is a one-off admission fee of ฿50,000 on top of annual tuition — budget for it as a set-up cost. Popular year groups can fill, so apply early, and ask each school about waiting lists, sibling policy, the school bus catchment and what is included in tuition versus charged on top (lunches, trips, exam fees, uniform). Visiting in person before you commit is worth the trip.
Beyond tuition: PBISS's ฿50,000 admission fee, possible registration/deposit at ISS, uniforms, the school bus, lunches, school trips and external exam fees (IGCSE/A-Level). These add up — confirm the full picture before enrolling.
Both schools sit in the north / north-east, so families overwhelmingly base themselves in Bophut, Choeng Mon or Bang Rak to keep the school run short. See where to live.
Beyond the two established international schools, Samui has some smaller and bilingual schools (Thai-English programmes and the like). These can be a fit for younger children, bilingual families or tighter budgets — but their fees, curriculum and capacity change, and we will not publish numbers we cannot verify. If you are considering one, contact it directly for current fees, the language balance, class sizes and accreditation, and visit before committing. Treat anything you read elsewhere as a starting point to confirm, not a quote.
This is the real decision factor for families. Samui has essentially two established international schools, both British-curriculum — versus dozens in Bangkok and 10-plus in Phuket, spanning IB, American, French, Swiss and more. If your child needs a specific system — the full IB Diploma, a French (AEFE) or American curriculum, specialist learning support, or simply the option to switch schools without leaving the island — Samui may feel limiting. For a British-curriculum family happy with PBISS or ISS, it is genuinely fine. For others, it is worth comparing against Phuket, which has far more choice. Visa, schooling and immigration rules change — verify school accreditation and any visa implications with the school and the official source; this is not legal advice.
International-school fees of ฿189,000–508,000 per child per year are often the single biggest line in a family's Samui budget — frequently more than rent. Add them to the cost-of-living plan and the Samui planner before you decide, and confirm exact 2026 figures with each school directly.
Essentially two established international schools — PanyaDee, The British International School of Samui (PBISS) and The International School of Samui (ISS) — both British-curriculum and both near Bophut. There are also some smaller and bilingual schools. This is far fewer than Bangkok's dozens or Phuket's ten-plus, which is a genuine consideration for families needing a specific curriculum.
Roughly ฿189,000–508,000 per child per year depending on school and year group. ISS sits around ฿189,000–282,000; PBISS runs about ฿267,000 for pre-K, ฿291,000–335,000 for primary and ฿394,000–508,000 for secondary, plus a one-off ฿50,000 admission fee. Confirm current figures and extras directly with each school.
Not among its established international schools — both PBISS and ISS follow a British curriculum. Families needing the full IB Diploma, a French (AEFE) or American programme, or specialist learning support may find Samui limiting and should compare it with Phuket, which offers far more curriculum choice. Verify any school's accreditation directly.
Admission is generally rolling, which suits families arriving mid-year. Expect an application, previous school reports, possibly an assessment or interview, and a registration or admission fee — PBISS charges a one-off ฿50,000 admission fee on top of tuition. Apply early for popular year groups and ask about waiting lists, the bus catchment and what tuition includes.
Mostly in the north and north-east — Bophut, Choeng Mon and Bang Rak — because both PBISS and ISS sit near Bophut, alongside the airport and the main private hospital. Basing yourself there keeps the school run, the airport and the doctor a short ride away. See our neighbourhoods guide for the trade-offs.
Yes, there are some smaller and bilingual (Thai-English) schools that can cost less than the international schools and suit younger or bilingual children. Their fees and capacity change, so contact them directly for current figures, the language balance, class sizes and accreditation, and visit before committing — we do not publish fee numbers we cannot verify.