Panyaden International School vs Singapore International School - Chiangmai

	P Panyaden International School Chiang Mai, Thailand	S Singapore International School - Chiangmai Chiang Mai, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 303,000 - 571,000	Fees / year THB 324,300 - 564,300
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 405	Pupils 280
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Thai	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Panyaden International School is located in the Hang Dong district, about 15 minutes south of Chiang Mai city centre, in a semi-rural setting surrounded by rice fields and greenery. It is accessible by local road networks, with parents commonly using a car, bicycle, or a parent‑organised bus.	Location The school is located in Si Phum, the historic central district of Chiang Mai, roughly 400 m west of the Chang Phuak city gate, near Wat Lok Molee and Wat Pa Phrao Nai. It lies within walking distance of city-centre amenities and is accessible by local roads from the Old City.
Stages	Stages The school offers education from Nursery (about age 2) through Early Years (Kindergarten), Primary, Middle School (Years 7–9), and Secondary through to Year 13 (IB Diploma).	Stages The school serves children aged 2 to 18 years, structured into Nursery–Kindergarten (2 – 6 years), Primary School (6 – 12 years), Secondary School (12 – 16 years), and Sixth Form (16 – 18 years).
School type	School type Panyaden is a fully co‑educational day school.	School type SISB Chiang Mai is a co‑educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Panyaden provides language support for students needing extra help in English (ESL) or Thai (TSL). These services are assessed via WIDA tools and delivered through co‑teaching models.	Additional learning support Singapore International School Chiangmai offers structured support for students requiring additional help in language acquisition. The school provides Chinese Learning Support (CLS) and two levels of English Learning Support (ELS1 and ELS2). These services are designed to assist students who may need extra guidance to meet the school’s trilingual curriculum expectations in English, Chinese, and Thai.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school has no formal country affiliation.	Country affiliation The school is part of the Singapore International School (SISB) group, following the Singapore and UK curricula, but operates independently in Thailand. There is no formal affiliation with the Singapore government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school is not affiliated with any particular religion; however, Buddhist values are integrated into daily life and learning, reflecting Thai cultural traditions.	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure School hours in Early Years run approximately 08:20–15:15, with optional after‑school clubs until 16:00–17:00.	School day structure At SISB Chiangmai, the school day runs from 8:00 am, with end times varying by level: 2:30 pm for Nursery to Kindergarten, 3:30 pm for Primary (P1–P6), and 4:00 pm for Secondary and Sixth Form (G7–G12).
Bus service details	Bus service details Panyaden does not operate its own bus; however, there is a parent‑organised school bus coordinated via the Friends of Panyaden group.	Bus service details The Chiang Mai campus does not clearly state the availability of a school bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fee: THB 3,000 (non-refundable, payable at the time of application) Admissions Fee: THB 65,000 (non-refundable, payable upon acceptance to confirm a seat) Security Deposit Nursery – Year 6: THB 5,000 (refundable) Year 7 – 13: THB 15,000 (refundable) Note: deposits are refunded upon withdrawal with required notice and deduction of any outstanding fees. Annual Tuition Fees Nursery – Kindergarten 2: THB 303,000 Year 1 – 2: THB 331,000 Year 3 – 4: THB 370,000 Year 5 – 6: THB 380,000 Year 7 – 9: THB 443,000 Year 10 – 11: THB 466,000 Year 12 – 13 (IB Diploma): THB 571,000 Sibling Discount 2nd child: 10% 3rd child or more: 15% Note: discounts apply automatically and are adjusted if enrollment changes during the year. Language Support Services EAL (English): THB 25,000 per term (max 6 terms) TAL (Thai): THB 17,000 per term (max 2 terms) Other Charges IB Exam Fees (Year 13): Approx. THB 32,000 University postage (Years 12–13): THB 1,500–2,500 per application Transcript reprints: THB 300 per additional copy Refund Policy Annual payment: Only Term 2 refundable if withdrawal occurs during Term 1 Term payment: No refunds after term begins Medical withdrawals are considered case by case No refund for dismissal or force majeure closures Payment Options Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, AMEX, and Alipay/WeChat Pay. * Late fees: 1.5% monthly interest charged daily from term start for overdue payments	Fee details One-time Payment Application Fee: THB 5,000 (non-refundable) Assessment Fee: THB 5,000 (non-refundable) Enrolment Fee: THB 150,000 (non-refundable) Refundable Deposit: THB 30,000 Annual Tuition Fees Child-Centred Curriculum (Nursery–Kindergarten) Nursery 1 & Nursery 2: THB 324,300 Kindergarten 1 & Kindergarten 2: THB 348,300 Singapore Curriculum (Primary) Primary 1–2: THB 379,500 Primary 3–4: THB 419,100 Primary 5–6: THB 466,800 UK Curriculum (Secondary) Grade 7–8: THB 502,800 Grade 9: THB 537,300 Grade 10: THB 537,300 Grade 11 & Grade 12: THB 564,300 Language Support (if required) Chinese Learning Support (CLS): THB 20,000 per term English Learning Support (ELS1 or ELS2): THB 20,000 per term Educational Resources Fee (Annual) Nursery–KG2: THB 28,500 Primary 1–6: THB 31,000 Grade 7–8: THB 40,000 Grade 9 & 11: THB 60,000 Grade 10 & 12: THB 80,000 (new students) Snack & Lunch Fee (per year) Nursery: THB 25,500 Kindergarten: THB 27,000 Primary: THB 31,200 Grade 7–9: THB 36,600 Grade 10–12: THB 36,600 Sibling Discount 5% for the second child 10% for third child onward Refund Policy A deposit refund requires 1 1-term written notice. Credited within 1 month after departure, subject to clearance of accounts. Tuition & Enrolment Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment Methods Cash, Credit Card, Alipay/WeChat, and Bank Transfer.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has an official uniform that is compulsory. Uniforms must fit properly, be clean and presentable, and shoulders, upper chest, upper back and upper legs must be covered. Modest dress is required. Alterations or copies of the uniform are not acceptable. Hoodies or non-uniform pullovers are not permitted unless issued by the school. On monk-visit days, students wear either a sarong over their shorts or the uniform long trousers.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The school operates two on-site canteens. The Bamboo Canteen has a modern kitchen and serves healthy meals to over 700 students and staff daily.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Panyaden Advisory Board (PAB) provides strategic guidance to the owner and executive management team for the development and improvement of the school. It comprises five members with backgrounds in marketing, governance, education, finance and operations, including Oliver Gritz (Chair), Prof. Erich Erber, Greg Smith, Piyapa Erber, Lamorna Cheesman and Romsai Tandakoseya; In Memoriam Thomas Tieber is noted as former Chair as of February 2025.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Panyaden International School offers a bilingual curriculum combining international academic standards with Thai cultural values. In Early Years, the school follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework with equal instruction in Thai and English. The Primary Years (Years 1–6) use the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside the British national curriculum. For Middle School (Years 7–9), students follow the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), designed to support inquiry-based learning across subjects. From Year 10 to Year 11, students enter the Pre‑IB programme, preparing for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) offered in Years 12–13. The curriculum includes Thai language and culture, English and Thai literacy, mathematics, science, humanities, art, physical education, and music across school stages.	Curriculum details Singapore International School Chiangmai offers a trilingual curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction, and additional instruction in Chinese and Thai. In Early Years (Nursery to Kindergarten), students follow the UK’s EYFS framework. From Primary School, the Singapore Curriculum is used, emphasising core subjects including English, Mathematics, and Science. In Secondary School, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. In Years 11–12 (Sixth Form), students undertake Cambridge International AS and A Level courses. Across all stages, the curriculum is designed to build bilingual and bicultural competencies alongside academic progression.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Panyaden supports Social and Emotional Learning through the work of its qualified school counsellor, Kru Sridevi, who offers individual counselling, classroom guidance lessons, and support for teachers and parents. The school integrates SEL into daily life using practices like meditation, life-skills education, and the “12 Wise Habits”, which encourage students to build emotional awareness and compassionate behaviour. These elements are delivered both explicitly in the curriculum and embedded throughout classroom routines. SEL is considered a shared responsibility across staff and is aligned with the school’s holistic educational approach.	Social & emotional learning The school does not publicly disclose detailed information about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) on its website. However, it does state that Pastoral Care and Career Guidance is part of the timetable for secondary students, aimed at building life skills and personal growth. Homeroom teachers support this by mentoring students individually.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school accepts students with documented learning differences, and admission decisions involve the Admissions team, the Learning Support teacher, and the Principal on a case-by-case basis. Support is provided through collaboration between classroom teachers, learning support teachers, teaching assistants, and specialist teachers to tailor learning to individual needs. However, Panyaden is not a specialist SEN institution and reserves the right to refuse admission if the student’s needs cannot be met by their existing programme.	Special educational needs (SEN) There is no publicly available information on the SISB Chiangmai site regarding support for Special Educational Needs on their website.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Panyaden provides EAL support from Kindergarten through Year 11 via English for Academic Purposes classes in Secondary School and co‑teaching with language specialists in the sheltered immersion model. Language specialists work alongside homeroom and content teachers to adapt materials and support access to the curriculum across subjects. Incoming students are screened using WIDA assessments and progress is monitored with MAP testing aligned to English language development standards.	English as an additional language SISB Chiangmai does not mention any dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming on its official website.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school counsellor offers individual consultation and maintains an open‑door policy, allowing drop‑in access and support during difficult times. Kru Sridevi extends psychosocial support to students, staff, and parents, drawing on her professional training in counselling psychology to address emotional challenges. SEL elements such as meditation, the 12 Wise Habits, and classroom guidance contribute to a culture that supports mental wellbeing across the student community	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose structured mental wellbeing programmes. It refers to pastoral care provided by homeroom teachers as part of student support in secondary and Sixth Form years.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child protection policy documents on its website. However, it states that all prospective teachers and staff are required to submit detailed employment histories and undergo criminal background checks as part of the recruitment process. These measures are intended to ensure a safe and caring learning environment. Staff are also expected to model the school’s values and follow the 12 Wise Habits. Further information on the implementation or structure of safeguarding procedures is not available through the school’s public-facing resources.	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child protection policies on its official website.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus spans 24 rai and features an award-winning Bamboo Assembly Hall, two libraries, two canteens, and a rice field. Early Years include two play areas and a kid-sized swimming pool. Primary facilities include a Life Skills Space, a playground, a Music Room, a Fine Arts Room, and a Theatre Room. Secondary facilities include a Science Centre with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs, a Music and Performance Arts Centre, and a Fine Arts Centre. The campus is sustainable, with buildings constructed from earth and bamboo, a Fresh Air System that provides PM2.5-free indoor air, and practices to reduce single-use plastics and compost waste.	Facilities overview The Chiang Mai campus is modern and well equipped with the latest educational resources. It features an eco-friendly campus designed to support personalised learning and progress. The environment supports well-rounded development, experiential learning, and student guidance. It offers activities that extend learning beyond the classroom, including taekwondo and hip-hop dancing. The school provides the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award as part of its programme offerings.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Multi-Purpose Sports Fields support outdoor sports and physical education. The Fitness Centre provides gym facilities for students. The Bamboo Assembly Hall hosts PE classes and sports during the day and serves as a venue for student performances in the evening. The Bamboo Assembly Hall reflects sustainability and serves as a central hub for school life.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus includes a Science Centre with dedicated Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs. It has a Music and Performance Arts Centre and a Fine Arts Centre. Primary learning spaces include a Life Skills Space, a Music Room, a Fine Arts Room, and a Theatre Room. There are two Libraries across the campus for academic resources.	Academic facilities The campus is modern and equipped with contemporary resources to support learning across the curriculum. The school delivers the Singapore curriculum with a foundation in English, Chinese, and Thai languages. The Primary programme covers core subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Chinese, with ICT, Drama, Art, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The Secondary programme combines Singapore and Cambridge approaches, preparing students for Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and Cambridge International AS and A Levels in the Sixth Form. Pastoral Care and Career Guidance are included as part of student support.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Bamboo Assembly Hall is used for assemblies, PE classes, and sports and also hosts student performances and dhamma talks. The Music and Performance Arts Centre and Fine Arts Centre support arts-related activities beyond class time. The Rice Fields provide an outdoor classroom experience, connecting students with local farming and the journey from field to table. The Swimming Pool supports PE lessons and after-school activities for younger learners.	Extra curricular facilities Well-rounded development activities include taekwondo and hip-hop dancing, open to learners from international kindergarten. Experiential learning is promoted through local and international trips. Students can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award as part of the school programmes.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Panyaden International School was founded by Yodphet Sudsawad and officially opened on 18 May 2011, after construction of its campus began around December 2010. It is independently owned and was conceived to deliver a values-based education combining Buddhist principles and environmental mindfulness. The school’s architecture, designed by Markus Roselieb using earth and bamboo, reflects its commitment to sustainable design.	History SISB Chiangmai opened in 2017 as the first Singapore International School in Northern Thailand and is operated by SISB Public Company Limited, which founded its first campus (Ekkamai, Bangkok) in 2001 and now manages several branches across Thailand. The Chiang Mai campus was purpose‑built and completed in late 2016, with operations beginning the following year as part of SISB’s strategic expansion beyond Bangkok.
Community	Community The Panyaden community includes students, families, and staff from over two dozen nationalities. The school hosts events such as Thai Language and Culture Day, Loy Kratong, Makha Bucha, Vishaka Bucha, and friendly parent‑teacher sports games. On Fridays, the community typically wears traditional Lanna clothing, highlighting cultural connections .	Community The school community participates in events such as International Day, Chinese New Year, Songkran Festival, and Sports Day, which involve students, staff, and families in cultural celebration and school life. Community engagement also spans service-oriented activities like K1 students donating to local charities as part of Global Citizenship learning.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association All parents are automatically members of Friends of Panyaden (FoP), which acts as the school’s parent association and has voting rights for its Board of Directors . FoP organises community-building activities such as family potluck dinners, a school market, and an annual general meeting. It also holds orientation events for new families and engages with leadership through management meetings to share ideas and raise community concerns. In addition, FoP promotes and participates in green/environmental initiatives in alignment with the school’s values.	Parent teacher association While the school describes strong parent‑school partnerships, the structure and specific functioning of a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) are not detailed on the site. Parents are actively involved in organizing events such as Sports Day, Christmas festivities, and International Week through volunteer support teams or similar collaborative roles. There is mention of regular parent‑teacher meetings, though formal PTA governance, elected groups, or scheduled activities are not documented publicly.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual After-school Activities (ASA) include coding and robotics, offering hands-on experiences in STEM. Students join Model United Nations and World Scholar's Cup competitions, expanding research, writing, and public-speaking skills. Entrepreneurs test business ideas through ASA clubs, and several clubs are led by teachers, parents, and community experts who bring real-world experience. Students of all ages are invited to join one of our after-school clubs.	Academic & intellectual The Chiang Mai campus offers Nursery to Sixth Form (2-18 years old).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Dance, band, art, and cooking clubs are offered through the ASA program. Clubs are led by teachers, parents, and community experts who bring real-world experience. A wide variety of creative activities is available throughout the year.	Arts & creative The school provides activities and programmes that include drama and art as part of the curriculum and general development.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language In Nursery-Kindergarten (2-6 years), English, Chinese, and Thai are developed; Primary (6-12 years) includes English, Chinese, and other subjects; Secondary (12-16 years) and Sixth Form (16-18 years) follow a Singapore-Cambridge curriculum with multilingual aspects.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Board games and Zumba are offered as recreational clubs. ASA fosters social connections and allows students to explore shared interests. Clubs are open to students of all ages.	Social & hobbies Well-rounded development includes activities such as taekwondo and hip-hop dancing; experiential learning through local and international trips.
Community & service	Community & service Field trips and Journeys are part of Education Outside the Classroom, bringing classroom concepts to life. Journeys develop resilience, leadership, and self-confidence through outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Service Learning Trips connect students with local communities through hands-on projects, aligning their efforts with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Panyaden values.	Community & service The school participates in programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Entrepreneurs test their business ideas through ASA clubs. Athletic teams compete in CMAC, developing resilience, sportsmanship, and leadership. The 12 Wise Habits underpin leadership development across activities.	Leadership & professional The principal is Daniel Maxwell; the school emphasises personalised guidance and leadership development.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Phoenix Athletics Programme emphasizes resilience, sportsmanship, and leadership. Sports on offer include volleyball, basketball, football, swimming, track, and badminton. Journeys provide outdoor learning such as hiking, camping, and wilderness cooking. Mindfulness and well-being are promoted as part of Panyaden's values.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus is described as eco-friendly with modern facilities designed to support students' growth and well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches English and Thai. English is the main language of instruction in integrated subjects; Thai is used for Thai language and Culture/History, with Thai First Language and Thai Additional Language provisions. English Language (EAL) support is provided for learners who do not yet have English. Early Years combines the UK EYFS with the Thai national curriculum in a bilingual English-Thai program. Specialist subjects in Primary are delivered in both languages, with Drama in English and Art, Music, PE, Life Skills in Thai; Library sessions alternate between languages.	Language provision Languages taught include English, Chinese, and Thai. In Nursery-Kindergarten, students develop a strong foundation in English, Chinese, and Thai. In Primary, English and Chinese are core subjects within the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The Early Years and Primary Years use a bilingual English-Thai approach. English and Thai are taught by international and Thai teachers to support Thai language acquisition. English is the main language of instruction in integrated subjects, with Thai used for Thai language, Culture and History, and some specialist subjects. Thai language learning is supported by Thai First Language and Thai Additional Language provisions, and English as an Additional Language support is available.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Recognised for its sustainable, bamboo-and-earth architecture, including awards for eco-design and green construction. Commended in WASC evaluation for integrating Buddhist values-based education and the “12 Wise Habits” into curriculum and community life.	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations	Accreditations Fully licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education. Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), affirming its educational standards and academic integrity. Recognised as an IB World School, authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme from Year 10–13.	Accreditations Council of International Schools (CIS) SISB is fully accredited by CIS, validating its global academic standards and quality assurance processes. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Accredited by NEASC, a U.S.-based agency that certifies the educational quality of international schools. Cambridge International School Authorised to offer Cambridge IGCSE, AS, and A Levels. Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) SISB is an official iPSLE exam centre authorised by SEAB since 2016. Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) Recognised as a certified test centre for Mandarin proficiency assessments.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Register your interest Families are encouraged to arrange a personal visit (in-person or virtual) via the enquiry form to get a real sense of the school during term time. 2. Submit online application form Include supporting documents as requested. Application fee of THB 3,000 is payable on the assessment date. 3. Receive decision and offer Panyaden reviews the application and will notify families once a place is available. 4. Complete enrollment Accept the offer, pay required enrolment fee, and complete paperwork to confirm the place.	Admissions 1. Get in Touch Contact the school by phone or submit an online inquiry to discuss your child’s educational needs. You can also book a school tour to visit the campus and speak with the admissions team in person. 2. Submit Application Form Complete the SISB application form and submit all required documents as advised by the Admissions Office. These typically include identification, past school reports, and health records. 3. Take an Assessment After the application is reviewed, SISB will schedule an assessment and an interview for your child. The format may vary depending on the year level, with younger students often assessed through observation. 4. Admission Decision Families will be informed of the admissions outcome by phone or email. If a place is offered, you will receive a formal letter of acceptance. 6. Payment of School Fees Pay the applicable tuition and enrolment fees according to the instructions provided by the Admissions Office. 7. Enrollment Once fees are settled and documents are complete, your child is officially enrolled.
Scholarships	Scholarships The Panyaden Secondary Scholarship Programme offers scholarships of up to 100% tuition for high-achieving students entering Years 7 to 11 or the IB Diploma. It also includes additional waivers (e.g., 30%) for early applicants supported by the Erber Family Foundation. These opportunities are selective and typically announced once a year.	Scholarships SISB does not currently promote any active scholarship programs; however, SISB Chiang Mai has previously conducted secondary scholarship examinations offering up to 100% tuition scholarships for successful applicants in Grades 7–9 (Lower Secondary / IGCSE levels). These scholarship opportunities were campus-specific and not part of a regular annual program. They were typically promoted through open house events or regional education fairs, allowing selected students to receive partial or full tuition waivers based on academic performance and assessment outcomes.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school does not officially publish a waitlist policy, but admissions are clearly noted to be “subject to availability”, indicating that places may not always be open.
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