Is there is someone out there who can help me! I am hoping to retire in Thailand next year with my 14yr old daughter. Obviously my daughter still needs several more years of education. My problem is that I can't afford to send her to an international school as I'm on a pension. Does anyone know if there are any schools which cater for english speaking students and are less expensive than the international schools? At this point in time I'm thinking of settling in either Chiang Mai or Phuket (Phuket being my first choice). I was told that there are "bilingual" schools but I haven't been able to find any info.

Can someone please help me!

The really expensive intern'al schools might be equivalent to the education system in your home Western country, but you indicate you can't afford that. Keep in mind that the rest of the school systems, especially public secondary schools (where I've taught the last two years) are not the same, don't stress critical thinking; cheating is rampant and permitted; the tests test nothing; grades mean nothing; and little is taught except by rote.

But maybe somebody knows the names of second-rate and third-rate expensive schools that won't bankrupt you. I think page 2 of the Chiangmai community forum has the list of the private (English language) schools.

I raised my twin daughters pretty much by myself from age 9 to 18 in Texas, and while they flunked out miserably, there's no way I would bring them to Thailand and think I could afford an authentic education that might prepare them for a fourth-rate community college back home.

Mind you, I'm in a grouchy mood. Maybe it's my toothache.

I totally agree with PeaceBlondie. You would be doing your daughter a GRAVE disservice by forcing her to complete her education in Thailand, if you cannot afford to send her to one of the handful of real international schools. The Thai "education system", both public and private, is absolutely abysmal and ranks as just about the worst in Asia.

For your daughter's sake, please reconsider your decision.

All Thai schools are crap and they will make your daughter's life complete he-ll.

Don't ever risk your daughter's life by making her study in Thailand. Crap, inefficient, pathetic are just a few words to accurately describe the Thai education system.

Thanks guys. With the replies I've had on this forum and other info that has come by way I've decided that we'll stay in Australia until she finishes high school. It's not worth the risk. Thanks again to all of you who have given me advice on this matter. I would have totally stuffed up without it.

You're welcome - it's very encouraging to hear back from someone who's heeding our advice.

We forgot to mention - your daughter might also have hated your decision for the rest of her life, for taking her out of her situation in Australia and hauling her to a place that can be lonely, isolating, etc.