We are planning to move there from Koh Samui in April, can anyone advise on good/not super expensive international school for 5-year-old in or close to the centre? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Sorry to be pedantic but what do you mean by "in the centre" and what do you mean by "not super expensive"?

Where are you planning to live, or do you plan to live near the best school for your child?

Price is similarly relative. Prem/PTIS is silly money and is miles out of town (not even sure if they do little ones anyway). Do you want US or UK style education? Are you here for a couple of years or long term?

April is quite late on in the academic year, most intl schools wrap up in May/June, and April can be a grim time of the year here weather wise and smog wise.

Why not check out the schools/housing in the next few months and then move up here later in the summer when the rainy season has started, sort out your new house and start your child in their new school in August?

Edited January 30, 201214 yr by folium

Which curriculum?

Lanna, forum sponsor, are an excellent British curriculum school with facilities for 5 year old.

Chiang Mai International School are a good American system, if you're into the Christian ethos.

Panyaden is new but looks interesting with a Buddhist background.

NIS seems to have some issues at present.

APIS and Prem are well out of town. Prem probably fits into super expensive.

Varee doesn't have anything international at that age, International starts at age 11. Again, fairly new.

Grace is for missionaries.

Rent temporary house, choose school then find house nearer.

CM traffic gets worse by the year and you don't want your 5 year old subjected to long (and arguably dangerous, if you use red bus transport) commutes. I met someone last week whose child has to leave home before 7 to catch the bus - that's probably two hours plus each day and not much of a life, I'd say.