Study in Bangkok, Thailand

About Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and its largest city. Its roads are famously congested, but an urban rail network, the elevated BTS Skytrain and the MRT underground, lets students get around above and below the traffic.

International students come to Bangkok mainly for two things: university programmes taught in English and courses in the Thai language, which can also open the way to a longer stay on an education visa. The practical side (visa notifications, re-entry permits) needs some attention, as explained below.

Studying in Bangkok

Our directory lists two schools in Bangkok: one university and one language school.

• Siam University is a private university in the Phasi Charoen district. It was founded in 1965 as a private engineering school and became a degree-granting institution, Siam Technical College, in 1973. It has over 15,000 students and offers undergraduate education across 13 faculties and 2 colleges, with more than 30 programmes, most of them taught in Thai. Its international programme, established in 1995, has over 1,000 students; in English it offers a 4-year Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and graduate programmes such as an MBA.
• Sandee Thai Language School was established in 2007 and is licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education. It is in the Rama 9 area, a 5-minute walk from MRT Rama 9 station, and has 6 classrooms. It teaches Thai, English and Chinese. Its Thai course has three levels, from basic pronunciation to complex sentences; the full course of 460 hours over 14 months cost 37,000 THB at the time of writing, and Level 1 alone (120 hours, 3.5 months) 12,000 THB. Visa fees are paid separately at the Immigration Office.

Long Thai language courses at licensed schools can give students the right to stay in Thailand longer on an education visa. Sandee warns about agents who offer such visas without classes: the school states that it offers onsite classes and that students must attend.

Student visa

According to Siam University, international students need a Non-Immigrant Education visa where required, applied for through the official Thai E-Visa service or a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Final requirements and decisions belong to the Thai government, its embassies and the Immigration Bureau, and the rules may change. Before arrival, travellers complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which is not a visa. During your studies you must complete 90-day residence notifications and obtain a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand when required.

Cost of living for students

No official student budget for Bangkok was available for this page. Tuition is the clearest fixed cost: check each programme's fees with the school, as shown above for Sandee's Thai courses. Housing costs vary widely by district and distance from a rail station.

Getting around and daily life

Bangkok's urban rail includes the BTS Skytrain, whose operator also lists the Gold, Yellow and Pink lines, and the MRT, with the Blue and Purple lines. Sandee, for example, is a 5-minute walk from MRT Rama 9 station. Choosing housing near a station saves a lot of time in traffic.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Bangkok?

Yes. Siam University's international programme teaches a 4-year BBA in International Business and graduate programmes such as an MBA in English. Most of its other programmes are taught in Thai.

Which visa do I need to study in Bangkok?

Usually a Non-Immigrant Education visa, applied for through the official Thai E-Visa service or a Thai embassy or consulate. Once in Thailand you must also complete 90-day residence notifications.

Is Bangkok a good place to learn Thai?

It has licensed language schools such as Sandee, which teaches Thai in three levels over courses of up to 14 months, and daily life gives constant practice.

How much does a Thai course in Bangkok cost?

At Sandee, Level 1 (120 hours) cost 12,000 THB and the full three-level course 37,000 THB, plus visa fees paid at the Immigration Office.