I work away, but during my time here, I've lived in Phuket, and Hua Hin.

With a young child approaching his first school years, we need to start thinking about the best place for his education. Are there any hidden gems out there for quality schools ( preferably Eng/Thai ), and a quiet life, away from the built up tourist areas.

Both of the above places we've stayed offer this, but its time for a change

Any information on where you stay that meets these requiements, greatly appreciated

You can think about it for as long as you want but in the end you will probably find no perfect place in Thailand where is everything is 100% right.

I suppose you can to sort the criteria by priority and then evaluate the locations based on that list. Best to give the criteria points and then see which location gets the most points.

I would also include and rate high on the list family, friends, keeping in mind "it's not always what you know but who you know". Considering what kind of people your child will socialize with might have a larger impact on their life than the quality of the education itself. Feeling at home, being local and having a secure feeling of belonging and being known to the community also has value which is as argument for living wherever family might have been based for generations.

Recreational activities, sports, do you want to be close to the beach or not, this one especially helps to cross many places in Thailand off the list just by being sure about this one.

If you plan to travel internationally frequently, not being 5 hours drive away from an intl. airport. Internet speed. Real estate.

In Bangkok you would have the biggest selection of educational facilities, but for me personally, it would take a very special reason to live there, having just spent another 2 weeks there, that traffic is just sickening and I'd want to look at some prettier landscapes on a daily basis.

Phuket has been great for me in many regards, of course depending on the location.

I've done the living in big city private farang school, and now in the village and a local Catholic school (not my religion)

The kids are by far happier in the village, going to a school that has a good reputation.

When they turn about 12, they will go back "home" for a more formal farang education, but they both much prefer being in the village, were they can play, feel safe, and greater freedom than in a city.

My only disclaimer is if your kid has learning issues/handicaps, then maybe a city is better.

But otherwise I am glad they are going to grow up understanding their background, with all the opportunities from their home country as well.

Try Phuket, it is very nice, clean air and many options for schools