Every year more and more Russians come to Thailand and stay here for a year or more. Many of them are faced with the issue of their children's schooling. Despite the fact that Asian countries are often considered underdeveloped, their education system is at a high level. And to help you understand this issue in more detail and understand which school is best to send your child to, we will look at Thai, international and Russian schools in Thailand.
Thai schools are divided into two types: Thai-English and English-Thai. In Thai-English schools, most subjects are taught in Thai (about 70%), while in English-Thai schools, on the contrary, more attention is paid to English, but Thai lessons are also taught. Foreign children also often enroll in Thai schools as they are the cheapest in Thailand. However, in order to enroll in such a school, you need to pass an exam on your knowledge of Thai or English (depending on the type of school you choose). The cost of studying at a Thai school is on average 60,000 baht per year, and upon admission you also need to make an initial payment of 20,000 baht. Upon completion of training, the student receives a Thai certificate.
International schools
There are many international schools in Thailand, which mostly teach in English. If you want your child to enter a foreign university, then these schools are best suited. International schools are mainly taught by teachers from Europe and America. However, a significant disadvantage of such schools is high price training. Prices in primary and secondary classes are from 100,000 baht per year and above, and in senior classes - from 250,000 baht. Upon completion of training, the student receives a European or American certificate.
There are international schools in many cities and resorts in Thailand, such as Pattaya. Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and others. For example, International School of the Eastern Seaboard, Garden International School in Pattaya, nist international school, Bangkok Prep in Bangkok, Chiang Mai International School in Chiang Mai, Haven Academy, British International School, International Academy Day School in Phuket, International School of Samu , The British School of Samui on Koh Samui.
However, another significant disadvantage of international schools is that if a Russian child goes to an international school from the first grade, he will not be able to properly read and write in Russian. We can definitely say that he will know English better than his native language.
Russian schools
If you want to educate your child according to the Russian curriculum, then there are Russian schools in Thailand. Russian teachers teach there. The cost of training in a Russian school ranges from 12,000 baht per month and above. Upon completion of training, the student will receive a Russian-style certificate.
Russian schools operate in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Samui. For example, Russian schools “Knowledge” and “Diplomat” have been opened in Pattaya. The “Knowledge” school is optional, so you need to clarify about obtaining a certificate. There is a Russian school in Bangkok at the Russian Embassy, which is located at 78 Sap Road, Surawongse, Bangrak. Phuket International Kindergarden & School and Spectrum schools are open in Phuket. Phuket International Kindergarden & School teaches according to the Singaporean curriculum, but you can take Russian language classes. Children from different countries. At the Spectrum school, classes consist only of Russian-speaking children, they are taught according to the Russian curriculum, and at the end of their studies, students will receive a Russian certificate.
Where to go to study?
It is up to you to decide which school to choose, Thai, international or Russian. I believe that if you live abroad, in a non-Russian speaking country, then it is better to send your child to an international school. There he will learn to speak excellent English and communicate with children from different countries. The only thing is that the child will have to be additionally taught Russian so that he can read and write correctly in his native language. For example, in Phuket there is a school called Phuket International Kindergarden & School, which separately provides Russian language lessons for 3,000 baht per month.
In Thailand, a foreign citizen can receive education starting from preschool. It’s also easy after receiving higher education. What is education like in Thailand?
Possibility of obtaining preschool education in Thailand it is very important for those who come to live in the country with young children. For foreign children, educational programs have been developed already in kindergarten. They start to study foreign language according to Canadian and American methods. The teachers themselves use English in their speech, this has a fruitful effect on the level of knowledge of children, they can completely immerse themselves in the language environment.
Attending kindergarten is not considered compulsory. In this regard, the Thai system is similar to the Russian one. But most children attend kindergartens. Thailand is considered the most liberal country in matters of education for foreigners.
The government supports the opening of not only public kindergartens, but also private ones. Therefore, the number of institutions is growing every year. The camp is creating great amount gardens with a bias, for example, mathematical or linguistic. Children begin to learn from the age of three.
Studying is not a constant process; the program is designed in such a way that children have free days. 
Children attend kindergarten until they are six years old. During this period, they not only study foreign languages, learn to write, read and count, but also receive daily homework and take tests.
Visit preschool always paid. The cost depends on whether it is private kindergarten or state, and what educational program is offered there. The average amount is 6 thousand baht per month.
School level of the educational system
Obtaining education through the school system consists of four stages:
- Primary school runs for three years, teaching children from 6 to 8 years old;
- the next stage of education is intended for children from 9 to 11 years old;
- third stage – age category from 12 to 14 years;
- the highest level of school education, which is divided into academic and professional directions, intended for children from 15 to 17 years old.
Education in Thailand requires the presence of specialized gymnasiums and secondary schools, which immediately combine both directions, professional and academic, in their training system.
The academic direction is chosen by those who plan to continue their education at a higher educational institution. Professional education designed for those who in the future will receive a specialty at a vocational school.
Children in Thailand are required to undergo training in the early stages primary school In addition, three years of secondary education is required. In order to enter the gymnasium, students must pass exams. Completion of each level requires passing a national educational test. 
The academic year in the country is divided into two semesters. The first semester begins in May and ends in October. Schoolchildren have holidays in October. The second semester lasts from November to March. In the spring, schoolchildren have a vacation for two months.
There are schools in Thailand that teach according to the British model. Their academic year consists of three semesters. In such schools, vacations occur in the summer and last two months.
Starting from the age of 13, children can choose to study in specialized courses. The most popular disciplines are mathematical and scientific.
In private schools, in addition to the standard curriculum, students can start learning Chinese and Japanese language, and instead of classes physical culture, choose martial arts. Educational programs combine both mandatory and additional classes. Additional disciplines include: music, drawing, dancing.
If main goal studying in the future is entering a university, it is best to give preference to international schools. They are taught by teachers from Europe and America. Upon completion of education, a European certificate is issued. The only disadvantage of such a school is the very high cost of education.
Russian school in Pattaya “Diplomat”
There are several Russian schools in the country. The main ones include “Diplomat” and “Knowledge”, both schools are located in Pattaya. The training courses in these schools are based on basic Russian education. Students study for 11 years, and upon completion of education they are issued a certificate. Here children are prepared to take the Unified State Exam. To take tests, students go to St. Petersburg.
Studying abroad is always a difficult choice. There are many universities in Thailand that are willing to accept international students. Universities offer programs for different specialists, ranging from bachelors to doctors of science. It must be said right away that almost all programs are held in English and some in Chinese. Universities are located throughout the country - from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and from Khon Kaen to Phuket.
Most Thai universities operate according to the standards of the Thai Ministry of Education.
Usually the academic year consists of two semesters of 16 weeks with summer holidays:
- 1st semester: June - October (5 months);
- 2nd semester: November - March (5 months);
- Summer holidays: April and May (2 months).
Some universities follow the British system:
- 1st semester: August - December;
- 2nd semester: January - May;
- Summer holidays: May - August.
There are programs that offer training over three semesters without summer holidays(namely programs, not universities). This is usually practiced when the training lasts one year.
In addition to standard on-campus training, one university in Thailand offers online training. It is Assumption University of Thailand, which offers five different programs at once, involving distance learning. This type training in last years has become very popular all over the world.
In addition to choosing a university, faculty and form of study, another issue arises - obtaining a student visa. To apply for a student visa, you must do the following:
- Apply to the program that the student has chosen;
- Fill out the “Letter of Acceptance” (the letter arrives from the university after the application has been processed);
- Submit your visa documents to the Thai Embassy in your country of residence along with the Letter of Admission, a copy of your passport and photographs;
- The first student visa is given for a period of 90 days; during this time, upon arrival in Thailand, the student is required to register and pay tuition for the corresponding semester; only after this is it possible to apply for a visa extension for the entire period of study;
- Regardless of how long a student stays in Thailand, it is mandatory to inform the migration service about his place of residence every 90 days.
It is worth noting here that you cannot legally work in Thailand with a student visa.
List of the best higher educational institutions Kingdom of Thailand (from left to right: Thai ranking, world ranking, University name):
- 166 Kasetsart University
- 200 Mahidol University
- 207 Chulalongkorn University
- 230 Chiang Mai University (Chiang Mai)
- 234 Khon Kaen University
Kasetsart University, or Kaset as it is also known, opened in 1943 and was the first to specialize in agricultural sciences, including social, economic and natural sciences. The university has 7 campuses throughout Thailand, with its flagship campus in Bangkok. Website: http://www.ku.ac.th/english/
Mahidol University, which opened in 1888 as the "School of Medicine", later became a Medical School. Mahidol offers 17 faculties, 6 colleges and 8 research centers. Website: http://www.mahidol.ac.th/en/
You can find out more about other universities on the official websites:
- Chulalongkom University: http://www.chula.ac.th/cuen/
- University of Chiag Mai: http://www.cmu.ac.th/index_eng.php
- Khon Kaen University: http://www.kku.ac.th/eng/main.php
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Thailand today is almost the only country in Asia that takes into account the interests of not only the local population. Since the country is a huge tourist area, it is developing by leaps and bounds. Moreover, this applies to all spheres of life. It should be noted that even the state itself makes great efforts to maintain stable and high level development. Thailand is considered not only good place for relaxation, and for learning, and even permanent residence. At the same time, education in the country compares favorably with all others, since to enter somewhere you do not need to collect numerous certificates and documents. All this significantly simplifies life for both Thai citizens and foreigners. And if you have chosen this country to study or live, in any case, you will be guaranteed good and comfortable conditions.
What is the main feature of studying in Thailand?
First of all, it is liberal. Moreover, education begins not at school, but also in nurseries and kindergartens. A huge number of kindergartens with different specializations have been created in the country. For example, there are math or language kindergartens that teach children starting at age 3. There are also special international kindergartens in which enrollment takes place several times a year. But in Thailand this happens quite rarely. In most cases, parents can immediately send their child to the kindergarten or nursery they like. It should also be noted that the studies are not regular. In kindergartens, there are several training programs, according to which on some days students can calmly sit at home and relax. Training can take place, for example, 3 times a week for several hours. This is precisely the first advantage of studying in Thailand - freedom of choice and education, which plays an important role in the development of the country's diplomatic relations.
Approximately the same situation occurs at school. Each of them, be it private or public, has its own syllabus and a drawn up schedule. Enrollment takes place, unlike many other European schools, twice a year, that is, in autumn and spring.
Starting from the school stage of education, students know what uniforms, semesters and sessions are. At the end of each year of study, they will have to take national exams in their core subjects. Students who fail are given a second attempt, after which they are offered to continue their studies either in the same class or at another school.
Another difference between education in this country is originality at the beginning. school year. Since Thailand is considered a tropical country with a corresponding climate, the new school year begins not in September, as is customary in many countries, but in May, and lasts until April next year. In April, residents celebrate their own New Year, which corresponds to ours, held on December 31st. That is why there are much more holidays here in Thailand than in other educational institutions in Europe.
TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF THAILAND
Where do children usually start at school in European countries? Of course, with vaccinations. Moreover, they are done without fail, and some educational establishments They even require vaccinations at the enrollment stage. In other words, even in this case, liberalism operates in the country, according to which responsibility for the lack of vaccinations is taken not by the administration of the educational institution, but by the parents themselves. The same thing happens with nutrition. You can either provide your child with your own food, prepared at home, or give money for food in canteens. It should be noted that the table food does not contain local spices, which are quite specific and not everyone likes them. That is why for visiting citizens who want to study in Thailand, this is also an important aspect. Liberality is also visible in visiting educational institutions themselves. Of course, you can’t be late for them, so there are special routes on several routes. school buses. You can drive your child to school in your own car, or order a bus that will come directly to your home.
The education system in Thailand combines compulsory and additional classes. In this case, the first ones are held for 40 minutes every day. Various additional activities are available upon request, including music, dancing or drawing. Among other things, each school conducts compulsory classes in sports sections, stadiums and venues, performed regularly morning work-out. All of them are carried out according to the state plan, and the children are looked after by parents and the management of the educational institution.
PATTAYA
Pattaya is a city in Thailand where it is located greatest number educational institutions different levels. It should be noted that each institution has its own plan and program, significantly different from its “competitors”. All schools and universities in Pattaya are strictly in-depth in any industry. Applicants have the right to choose the educational institution they like and study exactly what interests them. Schools and universities with a linguistic or philological focus are in great demand and have an excellent reputation. In just a couple of months, your child will be able to speak fluently in English and Thai. In addition, upon reaching a certain age, the student is awarded a bachelor's degree, after which he can begin to work.
The education process in this country is given great attention. Training is conducted in Thai and English. Without exaggeration, foreigners in Thailand are treated very friendly. Residents of the country have long been accustomed to foreigners visiting this paradise on earth.
However, let's take a closer look at the details of the education system. Primary school education begins at the age of seven and lasts until the age of twelve. The primary school program involves the study of 8 subjects: native language, foreign language, mathematics, art and music, physical education, social science and science elective.
After finishing primary school, children move to secondary school, where they are given the right to choose their curriculum. They can choose 1 or 2 training programs. For example, a math program, a foreign program, or one of the scientific programs. Secondary school education lasts from age 13 to age 18. At the end high school students take final exams. Then they receive a bachelor's degree, thanks to which they can further enter higher education institutions. Russian students and students from some CIS countries need to think in advance about obtaining a bachelor's degree in order to avoid difficulties with admission in the future. There is a second option to solve this problem: take an additional year of study in some country to obtain a bachelor's degree.
Higher education in Thailand
Admission to a university is the next stage of the educational system. What should you consider when applying to higher education institutions? For foreign students to enter institutes, it is enough to have a high school diploma and basic knowledge of the English language.
University programs are written in both English and Thai. First, you should decide on the desired language of instruction. Important advantage for those who have chosen to study in English: unlike Western and European programs, there is no need to undergo an additional year of study to master the language. All Thai and foreign students studying in English-speaking groups study the language at the first stages, and then, as they master the language, major subjects are introduced into the program. Language learning programs are quite universal, which allows you to master in a short period of time English language. It is also worth noting that most of the teachers came to Thailand from Canada, USA, Australia, and America.
Higher education It also involves passing a master's degree, at the request of students. Completing a master's degree at universities in Thailand takes from one to two years. Upon completion of the master's program, you must pass exams or defend a dissertation.
Teaching is conducted in classrooms equipped with modern information technology. Each classroom has a computer with a projector. For each discipline, a website has been developed on which all necessary information and material on the subject. This is very convenient, especially for students who do not have time to visit the library or buy literature.
During a certain educational course Students, similar to the American system, must achieve a certain number of points. Therefore, for example, students from the CIS countries must adapt to the point-based certification system in advance. And also to the fact that the university uniform for all students is the same: white top, black bottom. Another issue that worries many students in the post-Soviet space is the possibility of cheating and bribery. Any attempts to cheat or bribe teachers are strictly punished, including repeating the course and expulsion from the university.
Cost of education in Thailand
Tuition fees are low, much lower than in some European countries and America. On average, the cost of one academic year will be 2000 - 4000 dollars. Monthly living costs are about $600.
Students from 75 countries around the world study at Thai universities, so you definitely won’t feel like strangers here. People in this country have long been accustomed to foreigners: it is not customary here to single out people based on race. The prospects that open up for students graduating from Thai universities include the following.