Prem Tinsulanonda International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$11K - US$22K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~500
Location: Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If your budget stretches to it and you want IB from age three through to Diploma or the unique Career-related Programme, Prem is the obvious first call in Chiang Mai. The boarding option - weekly or full - makes it the only credible choice for families relocating regionally rather than just to the city.
Prem sits on a 100-acre Traidhos campus in Mae Rim, about 20 minutes north of the city, and it is the only school in Thailand to run all four IB programmes including the Career-related Programme. With around 500 students from 40+ nationalities and 35% living in boarding, the international mix is genuine rather than cosmetic. University placements to Imperial, UCL, Cornell and ETH Zurich appear regularly in alumni communications.
The campus is the main selling point: an Olympic pool complex, two theatres, science labs, music rooms, a chemical-free farm, tennis and golf academies, and 100+ co-curricular activities daily. Families with boarding students consistently describe the structured after-school environment as a strong advantage over day schools in Bangkok or the city.
The catch is cost and location. Total first-year spend including the THB 130,000 Foundation Fee and security deposit runs well over THB 1 million before boarding and transport. Mae Rim is not central Chiang Mai - a round trip for day families adds 40 minutes to most school days. ISR reviews from teachers mention management inconsistencies; worth asking about staff turnover and leadership stability at open day.
What parents value
- –Only school in Thailand with all four IB programmes. Boarding option with structured activities removes the daily commute problem for relocating families.
- –Extraordinary campus - 100 acres, farm, pool complex, golf and tennis academies, forest school. Very few day schools in Southeast Asia match the facilities.
- –Genuine nationality mix: 40+ countries, ~500 students. Social experience is closer to a small international boarding school than a typical Thai international day school.
Points of consideration
- –First-year costs are high: THB 130,000 Foundation Fee plus THB 50,000 security deposit on top of tuition. Total outlay in Year 1 for a secondary student comfortably exceeds THB 1 million. Confirm exact figures with the school.
- –Mae Rim location is 20-30 minutes from central Chiang Mai. Day students spend real time in traffic, and weekend activities require a car. Worth mapping against where you plan to live.
- –Teacher forum feedback on management has been mixed. Ask specifically about leadership tenure and staff retention rate at any campus visit before committing.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years 1-3 | 3 | 12,249 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | 13,139 |
| Grades 2-3 | 7 | 14,428 |
| Grades 4-5 | 9 | 17,805 |
| Grades 6-7 | 11 | 21,489 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | 22,717 |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | 23,945 |
Fees converted from THB. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | 184 |
| Foundation Fee (non-refundable) | 3,991 |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | 1,535 |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Chiang Mai's international schools serve a mix of long-term resident families, digital nomad households, and children of NGO and business professionals. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.