Private and International School Licensing in Thailand

TL;DR

Private and international schools in Thailand are regulated under the Private School Act B.E. 2550 (2007), administered by the Office of the Private Education Commission (สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการศึกษาเอกชน, OPEC) within the Ministry of Education (กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ). The Act recognises four categories of schools under Section 15 (including international schools) and Section 4 (Thai-curriculum private schools). International schools enjoy more flexible foreign ownership rules. All teachers — Thai and foreign — must hold a Council of Teachers (คุรุสภา) licence and a valid work permit. Compliance includes annual reports, curriculum approval, and periodic inspections.

The Private School Act B.E. 2550 (2007)

The Private School Act B.E. 2550 (2007) replaced the 1982 Act and modernised the framework for private education. The Act distinguishes between "in-system" schools (formal academic education at primary/secondary level) and "out-of-system" schools (vocational, language, tutorial). It also creates the OPEC as the principal supervisory body. The Act is supplemented by the Ministerial Regulations on Private School Categories B.E. 2552 (2009) and amendments through B.E. 2562 (2019).

School Categories

The most consequential distinction is between Section 4 and Section 15. Section 15 international schools are explicitly recognised as offering foreign curriculum to Thai and foreign students, and OPEC permits majority or 100% foreign ownership of the operating company subject to BOI promotion or a Foreign Business Licence.

The Foreign Ownership Exception for International Schools

Education in general falls under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) and ordinarily requires a Foreign Business Licence for foreign-majority operation. However:

• BOI Activity 7.16 (international schools) permits BOI promotion with majority foreign ownership and tax incentives.
• Section 15 international schools are recognised by OPEC as a special category and have historically operated with substantial foreign ownership under MOE oversight, often combined with a Foreign Business Certificate granted post-BOI.
• Land ownership for the school site is a separate issue — foreign companies cannot own land directly, so most international schools operate on long-term land leases or via BOI land-acquisition approval under the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977).

Teacher Licensing — Council of Teachers (คุรุสภา)

All teachers in licensed schools (Section 4 or Section 15) must hold a Teaching Licence issued by the Council of Teachers of Thailand (คุรุสภา) under the Teachers and Educational Personnel Council Act B.E. 2546 (2003). The standard process:

1. Education qualification — a Bachelor's degree, ideally in Education or with a teaching qualification (PGCE, B.Ed., etc.). Foreign teachers must have a recognised degree.
2. Khurusapha registration — application through the school employer; the Council issues either a permanent licence (for Thai-qualified teachers) or a Temporary Teaching Permit (TTP, ใบอนุญาตประกอบวิชาชีพครูแบบชั่วคราว) valid for 2 years, renewable up to a maximum of three times (i.e., 6 years).
3. Pathway to permanent licence — foreign teachers can pursue a permanent licence by completing a Khurusapha-approved teaching certificate or M.Ed. programme during the TTP period.
4. Work permit — required separately under the Foreigners' Working Management Royal Decree B.E. 2560 (2017) and Royal Decree (No. 2) B.E. 2561 (2018), tied to the school's quota and the teacher's role.
5. Non-B visa — issued by Immigration via the Education category.

Schools employing teachers without a valid licence and work permit face administrative sanctions including licence suspension, and the teachers themselves face deportation and bans on re-entry.

Curriculum Approval

Section 15 international schools must obtain MOE approval for their curriculum. The standard process accepts internationally recognised curricula (IB, IGCSE/A-Levels, AP, Australian Curriculum, Singaporean, etc.) subject to:

• Thai language and culture component — all international schools must teach Thai language and Thai social/cultural studies to Thai students (and offer them to foreign students), per Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2552 (2009).
• Curriculum documentation — submission of scope and sequence, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and accreditation evidence (CIS, NEASC, WASC, etc.).
• Periodic review — curriculum re-approval typically every 5 years, plus annual reports.

Application Process

1. Pre-application — confirm site zoning permits education use; secure land lease or ownership; develop curriculum and staffing plan.
2. Foundation establishment — many schools are organised as foundations (มูลนิธิ) under CCC Sections 110-136, or as private companies; foundations have tax advantages but governance constraints.
3. OPEC application — submit Form Sor.Chor.1 with: company/foundation documents, board composition, curriculum, building plans, fire safety and sanitation certificates, financial guarantee.
4. MOE Basic Education Commission review for curriculum.
5. Inspection by OPEC and MOE officials.
6. Licence issuance — typically 6-12 months from complete application.
7. Operational compliance — annual reports, audited accounts, teacher registration, fee approval, inspection visits.

Ongoing Compliance Obligations

• Annual report to OPEC including student numbers, financials, teacher list, curriculum adjustments.
• Fee approval — significant tuition increases require OPEC approval; the Ministry has historically scrutinised steep increases.
• Audited financial statements — submitted annually.
• Teacher quota and registration — maintain Khurusapha registration for all teaching staff.
• Inspections — periodic (often annual) OPEC inspections; international accreditation reviews on the accreditor's schedule.
• Child protection — comply with the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) including background checks and incident reporting.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these traps:

• Confusing language schools with full international schools. Language schools and tutorial centres are "out-of-system" and have lower foreign-ownership flexibility than Section 15 international schools.
• Employing teachers without Khurusapha licences. Increasingly enforced; teachers without TTPs face deportation and schools face administrative sanctions.
• Skipping Thai language and culture curriculum. Even international schools must include this for Thai students; non-compliance triggers MOE review.
• Foreign-majority Section 4 school without FBL. Thai-curriculum schools are not in the BOI international-school category; require Thai-majority operation or a specific FBL.
• Failing to renew TTPs on schedule. Late renewal voids the work permit and creates immigration issues.

FAQs

1. Can a 100% foreign-owned company operate an international school in Thailand?

Yes, via BOI Activity 7.16 promotion or a Foreign Business Licence/Certificate. Without BOI/FBL, the operating company must be Thai-majority.

2. How long does a Temporary Teaching Permit last?

Two years, renewable up to three times for a maximum of 6 years. After that, the teacher must obtain a permanent licence through a Khurusapha-recognised pathway.

3. Do international schools have to teach in Thai?

No, the curriculum can be delivered in English (or another language), but Thai language and Thai social/cultural studies must be taught to Thai students and offered to foreign students.

4. Are international schools tax-exempt?

Schools structured as foundations may qualify for tax exemption on education income under the Revenue Code B.E. 2481 (1938), subject to public-benefit registration. Schools structured as private companies are subject to corporate income tax (with BOI exemption possible for promoted schools).

5. Can the school own its land?

Foreign-majority companies cannot own land directly. BOI-promoted schools may receive land-ownership approval under the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977); others use long-term leases (30+30 year structures) under the CCC.

Related Reading

• Teaching English Legally in Thailand (2026)
• Thai Language Schools: Accredited Guide
• BOI Tax Incentives: Section 31/32 and A1/B2 Categories Explained
• Starting a Business in Thailand: A Foreigner's Overview (2026)