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There are playgroups in Bangkok, but they are not institutionalized. A mother with young children will set up an informal group, which will be disbanded when the children enrol in school. It is best to ask around once you arrive. Pregnant women and parents of young children can obtain advice and support from Bambi, a non-profit organization (http://www.bambiweb.org/).

International kindergartens

There are several English-speaking kindergartens scattered around Bangkok. Ones that have been favoured by staff members in the past include Magic Years Preschool in Chaeng Watana (telephone 02 584 6047), the Early Learning Centre in Sukhumvit (telephone 02 381 2919) and the Noddy Play Group in Soi Kaeng Chuan, off Linchi Road (telephone 02 286 6022). Most of the international schools also have kindergarten sections, but the fees are on a par with their primary and secondary departments.

International schools

Seventy-five international schools are registered with the International Schools Association of Thailand in addition to national schools, such as the Indonesian School at the Indonesian Embassy, the Lycée Français de Bangkok, the Swiss-German section of Ruam Rudee International School, and the Thai-Japanese Association School. Details of the international schools can be found on the International Schools Association’s web site: http://www.isat.or.th. English is the medium of instruction in the international schools, with different language classes being offered in different schools. As many of these international schools are new, they do not have a long track record, except by association, for example, Harrow International School which is allied to Harrow School, England and Shrewsbury International School, which is allied with Shrewsbury School in England.

Indeed many of the international schools were founded in the 1990s as a result of a government regulation in 1991 that allowed the establishment of new international schools. Consequently parents have a wide choice, but at the same time they need to carefully check the reality behind the glossy brochures. A possible checklist could include the following:

(a) Curriculum: Is it American, British, international, Thai? Are teaching methods traditional or child-centered? How much homework is given?

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(b) Accreditation: All international schools have to be accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education. American schools overseas should be accredited by one of four national accredited agencies, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, so that credits and certificates can be transferred if children return to the United States. International schools can be accredited by the European Council of International Schools. Schools following the British or Australian system do not always apply for accreditation if they offer internationally recognized examinations, such as the International Baccalaureate or the International General Certificate of Education (IGCE).

(c) Faculty: Do the teachers have professional qualifications and certification? How much experience do they have and where?

(d) Location: The three older schools moved out from the city centre over 10 years ago in order to custom-build their classrooms and expand their sporting facilities. Most of the new schools were also built in the suburbs. Consequently, some parents choose to find accommodation near the school of their choice so that their children do not have to spend hours commuting. However, some staff members who have located near their children’s school find that all their children’s friends live in central Bangkok. All the schools provide school buses, at a cost, but parents need to check how the bus service is run, including the condition and size of the buses, the routes, the drivers’ qualifications, the monitors who supervise the children and the provision of seatbelts.

(e) Language: If English is the medium of instruction, check how many native English speakers there are in a class.

(f) Nationality: Is there a good mix of nationalities or does one predominate?

(g) Parent participation: Some schools welcome the close involvement of parents, while others operate on more hierarchical systems that are not democratic. Is there a parents’ association? Are parents welcome in the classroom? Do parents elect a governing body?

(h) Special needs: There is only one school in Thailand that caters to children with special educational needs. The St. Andrews International School in Thailand established the first Special Educational Needs Centre at its school on Sukhumvit 71 Road. Most international schools offer English as a Foreign Language classes, but the cost and methods of delivery vary widely, from immediate immersion into the regular class to total withdrawal until some degree of proficiency is acquired.

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Currently, the children of staff members attend the following schools:

− Bangkok Patana School

− Harrow International School

− International School of Bangkok

− New International School of Thailand

− Ruam Rudee International School

− Shrewsbury International School

− Thai-Japanese Association School

− Lycee Français International de Bangkok

For further information on how to select an international school, look at International Schools in Thailand by Jennifer Sharples and Colin De’Ath, and the education section in the Bangkok Guide by the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Group.

4. Universities

Universities in Thailand offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, but the majority are in the Thai language. A listing of public and private universities and institutions can be found on the web site: http://www.internationaleducationmedia.com/thailand/universities.htm.

The Asian Institute of Technology is an English medium institution, offering advanced education in engineering, science, planning and management (http://www.ait.ac.th/). Assumption University of Thailand offers bachelor’s as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in English (http://www.au.edu/). Other universities have international programmes offering English language degrees, such as the Sasin Graduate Institute of Chulalongkorn University (http://www.chula.ac.th), Thammasat University (http://interaffairs.tu.ac.th/), Webster University Thailand (http://www.webster.edu/thailand) and SchillerStamford International College (http://www.stamford.edu).

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