Starting a Language School in Thailand: Essential Guidelines for Foreign Investors

Opening a language school in Thailand is a great business opportunity, but it does require navigating a few legal requirements. As a foreigner, you’ll need Thai partners to apply for a school license through the Office of the Private Education Commission. The regulations fall under the Private School Act B.E. 2550 and B.E. 2554. Although the law doesn’t define language schools as a separate category, they are grouped into different categories depending on the type of courses offered.

Here’s a brief look at the possible categories:

• Life Skills Development: Suitable for language classes aimed at young children.
• Preparatory School: For language courses that supplement regular school subjects.
• Professional Skills Education: For courses focused on communication, business, or professional use.

If your school plans to offer more than one category, you’ll need at least 100 square meters of space for each one, and each must be clearly separated from other activities.

Who Can Own and Manage a Language School?

For Individual Owners:

• Must be Thai and at least 20 years old.
• Must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field.

For Companies or Partnerships:

• Must be registered in Thailand and include “providing education” as a business objective.
• For companies or partnerships, over 50% of shares or capital must be owned by Thai nationals.
• The company’s director or representative must also meet the criteria required for individual licensees.

For School Principals/Headmasters:

• Must be a Thai national, at least 20 years old, with a bachelor’s degree.
• Must have one year of experience in their field.
• For a preparatory school, the headmaster needs three years of teaching experience and a degree in education.

Important Information for U.S. Investors

Even though the Treaty of Amity between Thailand and the United States offers some business advantages to U.S. citizens, these ownership rules still apply when establishing a language school.

Opening a language school in Thailand might seem challenging, but it’s definitely manageable with the right support. At Sukhothai Interlaw, we’ve been helping clients set up businesses in Thailand for more than 30 years. Our team is well-versed in handling all aspects of contracts, negotiations, payments, and compliance, ensuring your investment gets off to a strong start. If you’re ready to get started, feel free to reach out to us for guidance tailored to your needs.

Sukhothai Interlaw
17 Chan 35, Chan Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Phone: +662 212 6866-7
Fax: +662 213 3124