Cities / Bangkok / Roong Aroon International School (Roong Aroon IS)
Roong Aroon International School (Roong Aroon IS)
Located in Bangkok as an IB World School, RAIS offers the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme with specialized focus on arts and music education, as evidenced by recent recruitment for IBMYP/DP Music and Arts teachers.
In brief
Roong Aroon International School is a small secondary school of around 65 pupils aged eleven to eighteen, opened in 2019 on a forested 20-acre campus off Rama II Road in Bang Khun Thian. Teaching is built around inquiry, projects and time outdoors, far more than is usual in Bangkok. It is authorised for the IB Middle Years and Career-related programmes and also lists the Diploma Programme, which the IB's register showed in candidacy in early 2025. Fees are THB 450,000 a year for Grades 6 to 12.
The commute is the most common concern. The campus is well outside central Bangkok with no rail link, and far from where most expatriate families live. Staff describe long days and weekend commitments, and say taking part in the school's Buddhist ceremonies is expected of teachers.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 6-12 | 11 | THB 450,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | THB 3,000 | |
| Enrollment Fee | THB 120,000 |
Reviews
- Sits on a 20-acre forested campus in Bang Khun Thian, well outside central Bangkok, with no nearby BTS or MRT.
- Inquiry-based and project-based learning are the core of the model. Outdoor and experiential time is unusually heavy by Bangkok standards.
- IB authorisation covers MYP and the Career-related Programme. The Diploma Programme is in candidacy, not yet authorised.
- Staff describe Roong Aroon as one of the few Thai schools without an NES versus NNES pay split. Reports of equal-opportunity hiring across native and non-native English speakers are unusual for the market.
- Working conditions for teachers are mixed. Recurring complaints describe nine-hour days, weekend asks, and mandatory participation in Buddhist ceremonies that staff said was not optional.
- Commute is a frequent practical concern. The location is far from where most Bangkok expat families live.
Positives
- Pedagogy. Strong commitment to inquiry-based, outdoor and project-based learning on a green campus
- Equal-opportunity hiring. Reports of no NES/NNES pay or workload split, unusual in Thailand
Considerations
- IB status. MYP and CP authorised; DP still in candidacy
- Working hours and religious activities. Teachers describe long days, weekend work and mandatory Buddhist ceremony participation
- Location and commute. Bang Khun Thian site is far from central Bangkok with no rail access
Leadership
James Edward Ford
James Edward Ford serves as Head of School at Roong Aroon International School in Bangkok, with over 20 years of experience in international education including roles as Secondary School Principal and Head of English/Humanities at NIVA American International School.
Academic results
- Result IB DP 2025 avg 34 pts
- Result 94% pass rate
Location
391/5 Soi Anamai Ngam Charoen 25, Rama II Road, Tha Kham, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok 10150, Thailand