Types of Education Licenses in Thailand: Language Schools, Nurseries, Private Schools and International Schools
In this guide we look at the types of education licenses in Thailand. The Kingdom has a strong and growing market for education businesses. Language schools, tutoring centres, nurseries, and private schools are all in demand, especially in Bangkok and other major cities with large expat communities.
But before you register a company or sign a lease, you need to know one thing: the type of education business you want to run determines everything. The licence type, the government body you apply to, the ownership rules, and the timeline are all different depending on your concept.
There are four types of educational license in Thailand. This guide covers each one clearly.
The Four Types of Education Licenses in Thailand
Here is how the four categories compare before we go into the detail of each.
| Licence Type | Governing Law | Issuing Authority | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language school / tutoring centre | Private School Act B.E. 2550 | OPEC, Ministry of Education | 6 to 9 months |
| Nursery / childcare (under 6s) | Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 | Ministry of Social Development | 3 to 6 months |
| Private school (Thai curriculum) | Private School Act B.E. 2550 | OPEC, Ministry of Education | 6 to 12+ months |
| International school | Private School Act B.E. 2550 | OPEC, Ministry of Education | 6 to 12+ months |
One rule applies across all four categories: Thai majority ownership is required. Education is a restricted service business under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, and the Private School Act independently requires more than 50% Thai shareholding for any school licence holder. These two laws work in parallel. Neither the US-Thailand Treaty of Amity nor a Foreign Business Licence can override them.
For most foreign investors, the standard structure is a Thai majority limited company with 51% Thai and 49% foreign ownership.
Type 1: Language Schools and Tutoring Centres (Informal School Licence)
This is the most accessible of the four types of educational license in Thailand and the most common starting point for foreign entrepreneurs. Language schools, tutoring centres, test prep centres, and short-course training providers all fall here.
Who Issues It
The Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) under the Ministry of Education. This is a non-formal school licence under the Private School Act B.E. 2550.
Note: the Act does include an exemption for very small operations below a specified student threshold. Confirm the exact figure with OPEC before assuming your facility qualifies.
Basic Requirements
- Ownership: Thai majority company with more than 50% Thai by share value and shareholder count. The company director must be Thai.
- Premises: Minimum 100 square metres for courses under 6 months or 600 hours. Educational use permit required. Minimum 3-year lease.
- Curriculum: Submitted and approved with OPEC. All documentation in Thai.
- Teachers: No Teachers Council of Thailand (TCT) licence required for Thai or foreign teachers. This is a major advantage over formal schools.
- Administrator: Thai national with a bachelor's degree and at least one year of relevant experience.
Timeline
OPEC review takes approximately 90 days from a complete submission. Including company registration and premises preparation, allow 6 to 9 months overall.
Type 2: Nurseries and Childcare Centres
This is the licence type that surprises most people. Nurseries are not regulated by the Ministry of Education. They sit under an entirely different legal framework, one focused on child welfare rather than education.
Who Issues It
The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. In Bangkok, applications go to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry. In provinces, to the Provincial Governor.
Any facility caring for 6 or more unrelated children aged 0 to 6 requires a licence under the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003).
Basic Requirements
- Space: Minimum 100 square metres indoors. Child-proofing, adequate ventilation, and appropriate sound levels during sleep periods are required.
- Manager: Must hold a bachelor's degree.
- Caregivers: Must meet minimum education and experience requirements set out in the relevant Ministerial Regulations. Background checks and health clearances are required for all staff.
- Facilities: Nutritious meals, appropriate sleeping arrangements, fire safety compliance, and health provisions are all mandated.
The Age Boundary to Know About
Children aged 3 to 6 sit in a grey zone. Which licence you need depends on what you offer.
- Care and developmental activities only: nursery licence applies
- Formal Ministry of Education-approved curriculum: you need a Private School Act licence as a kindergarten
- Both: you may need to comply with both frameworks simultaneously
Timeline
Allow 3 to 6 months from a complete application, plus time for company registration.
Type 3: Private Schools (Thai Curriculum)
Opening a Thai-curriculum private school, from kindergarten through to Mattayom 6, involves the most demanding process of all four types of educational license in Thailand. It also creates a unique legal situation: the school itself becomes a separate juristic person under the Act, distinct from the company that holds the licence.
Who Issues It
OPEC under the Ministry of Education, under Sections 17 to 118 of the Private School Act B.E. 2550. The Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) oversees only government schools and has no role here.
Basic Requirements
- Ownership: Thai majority company. The licensee, company director, and school principal must all be Thai nationals.
- Land tenure: Ownership or leasehold over the school's land for a minimum of 10 years. Within 120 days of receiving the licence, land and property must be transferred to the school entity.
- Teachers: All teachers must hold a professional licence from the Teachers Council of Thailand (Khurusapha). Foreign teachers need a temporary teaching permit valid for 2 years.
- Executive Board: A formal board must be established including the licensee, school director, a teacher representative, and qualified external members. At least half of the board members must be Thai nationals.
- Curriculum: Must follow the Thai national curriculum as prescribed by the Ministry of Education.
Timeline
OPEC's review is approximately 90 days, but the full process (company setup, securing premises with a 10-year tenure, building permits, and staffing) realistically takes 6 to 12 months or more.
Type 4: International Schools
There is no separate International School Act in Thailand. International schools are a subcategory of formal private schools, licensed under the same Private School Act B.E. 2550. The key difference is curriculum flexibility, and a mandatory accreditation requirement.
Who Issues It
OPEC under the Ministry of Education. International schools are also subject to external quality assessments by the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA).
How It Differs From a Standard Private School
| Aspect | Private School | International School |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Thai national curriculum required | Foreign curriculum permitted with MoE approval |
| Language of instruction | Thai | English or other foreign languages |
| International accreditation | Not required | Required: apply within 1 year, achieve within 5 years |
| Foreign ownership | Maximum 49% | Maximum 49%, no exceptions |
Accreditation
International schools must apply for accreditation from an OPEC-recognised body within one year of opening. Recognised bodies include WASC, CIS, Cognia, COBIS, and others. Full accreditation must be achieved within 5 years.
Tax Position
All private schools under the Private School Act, including international schools, are exempt from income tax on net profits and from VAT on school services.
Timeline
Similar to standard private schools: 6 to 12 months or more, with additional complexity from international curriculum approval and accreditation planning.
Ready to Start Your Education Business in Thailand?
Getting the right licence from the start saves significant time and cost. The most common mistake is applying for the wrong category, or setting up a company structure that cannot hold the licence you need.
Attori Law handles education business licensing across all four categories, from company setup through to OPEC submission. Contact us for a free discovery call to map out the right path for your concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of educational license in Thailand?
There are four main types: the informal school licence (for language schools and tutoring centres), the nursery licence (for childcare of children aged 0 to 6), the private school licence (for Thai-curriculum schools), and the international school licence (for foreign-curriculum schools). Each is governed by a different law and issued by a different authority.
Can a foreigner open a language school in Thailand?
Yes, but a foreigner cannot hold the licence directly and cannot own more than 49% of the company that holds it. The standard structure is a Thai majority limited company with a Thai national as company director and school administrator.
Do language school teachers in Thailand need a teaching licence?
Not for non-formal schools such as language centres and tutoring centres. Teachers Council of Thailand (TCT) licences are required for teachers at formal private schools and international schools, but not for instructors at non-formal institutions. This applies to both Thai and foreign teachers.
Is a tutoring centre the same as a language school in Thailand?
For licensing purposes, yes. Both fall under the non-formal school category and require the same OPEC licence under the Private School Act B.E. 2550. The process, requirements, and ownership rules are identical for both.