As a family, you choose the school first, then the neighbourhood: traffic makes long school runs exhausting. The Lycée Français International de Bangkok is in the Ramkhamhaeng and Pracha Uthit area; the main international schools are spread between Sukhumvit, Bang Na, the riverside and the north of the city. Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, Rama 9 or On Nut offer family homes at very different budgets.
Moving to Bangkok with children is a very different project from moving alone. Space, safety, parks, commuting and above all school take priority over nightlife or being close to the office. This guide helps you approach things in the right order.
1.Choose the school before the neighbourhood
In Bangkok, traffic can turn a few kilometres into an hour-long journey at rush hour. A family that picks its home first, then a school across town, often spends its mornings in the car or the school bus. The right method:
- Choose the type of schooling: French, British, American, International Baccalaureate, bilingual Thai school.
- Contact the schools to find out about available places, the admissions calendar and fees (each school publishes its own fee schedule).
- Look at the commute: school bus service, real travel time at 7 am.
- Only then look for a home within a reasonable radius.
2.The French lycée and the other main schools
The Lycée Français International de Bangkok (LFIB), part of the French schools abroad network, is located in the Ramkhamhaeng / Pracha Uthit area, east of the centre. Many French-speaking families live in neighbourhoods with reasonable access to it: northern Thong Lo and Ekkamai, Rama 9, Ramkhamhaeng. Ask the school about its bus routes, which can change from one year to the next.
If you are considering an international school, here are rough locations of some of the best known:
| School | Area |
|---|---|
| NIST International School | Sukhumvit (soi 15), right in the centre |
| Bangkok Patana School | Bang Na, south-east (Sukhumvit 105) |
| Shrewsbury International School | Riverside (Charoen Krung) |
| International School Bangkok (ISB) | Nichada Thani, north (Nonthaburi) |
| Harrow International School | Don Mueang, north |
These are landmarks only; always check the exact campus address, curricula and admission requirements on each school's website.
3.Family-friendly neighbourhoods
Each neighbourhood has its own character. Here are the ones we suggest most often to families, with what our catalogue showed on 10 October 2026.
Phrom Phong. The historic family neighbourhood of Sukhumvit: Benjasiri Park, the Emporium and EmQuartier malls, schools, clinics and international supermarkets within walking distance. Large apartments are plentiful, with high rents: our three-bedroom units there are listed at around 70,000 to 100,000 ฿ a month.
Thong Lo. Lively, with many restaurants and services, and recent buildings. Northern Thong Lo brings you closer to the French lycée area. Family-sized apartments are rarer and rather upmarket.
Rama 9 and Ramkhamhaeng. Newer, better served by the MRT and the Airport Rail Link, with gentler rents for more space. It is also the area closest to the French lycée. Our two-bedroom units there start at around 25,000 ฿.
On Nut and south-east Sukhumvit. For families who want a house with a garden in a secure housing estate, often with a shared pool, at prices well below the centre. This area is also closer to Bang Na.
Khlong Toei / Rama 4. Close to Benjakitti Park and the convention centre, central without being in the thick of Sukhumvit's bustle.
To compare neighbourhoods by lifestyle, see our guide Choosing your neighbourhood in Bangkok.
4.Size of the home and facilities
For a family, a few criteria matter more than usual:
- The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a maid's room if you plan to hire help.
- The building's pool and playground, and their safety (fences, supervision).
- High windows and balconies: check railings and safety features for young children.
- Parking if you have a car, and room for a pushchair in the lift and lobby.
- The building's rules: children's pool hours, whether pets are allowed.
5.House or condo?
A condo offers security, shared facilities and closeness to public transport. A house in a gated estate ("moo baan") offers space, a garden and often more quiet, but usually requires a car. Many families start in a condo near the school, then move to a house once they know their routines.
6.School runs and traffic
- The BTS and MRT avoid traffic jams, but young children rarely travel alone at rush hour.
- Many schools offer a school bus: ask which areas are served before choosing your home.
- Early starts are common: factor them into family life.
7.Family life day to day
A few Bangkok realities to factor into your choice:
Heat and the rainy season. Children play a lot indoors or in the shade. A pool in the building, a playroom, a mall with a children's area nearby become real assets. During the rainy season, check that access to the building and car park stays usable in heavy downpours.
Parks. There are fewer than in Europe, which makes the existing ones precious: Benjasiri and Benjakitti around Sukhumvit, Lumphini further west, or the green spaces of large housing estates. Living within walking distance of a park changes children's daily lives.
Health. Bangkok has well-known private hospitals, with paediatric departments and often English-speaking staff. Find the one closest to your home as soon as you arrive, and check it works with your insurance.
Domestic help. Many expatriate families employ a housekeeper or nanny, full or part time. If that is your plan, a maid's room or a larger home can be useful; also find out about the employment and visa rules that apply.
Activities. Sport, music, languages, cultural centres: the choice is wide but scattered. Being close to these places also matters if you want to avoid spending weekends in traffic.
8.A calendar to plan ahead
School years don't all follow the same rhythm: French-network schools and most international schools start the year between August and early September, but admissions are often prepared months in advance, with entrance tests and waiting lists for some grades. Ideally:
- Six months to a year before: contact the schools, understand the applications and deadlines.
- Three to six months before: confirm the school, then target compatible neighbourhoods.
- One to two months before: shortlist homes, by video viewing if you are still abroad.
- On arrival: view, sign, and test the school run before term starts.
9.Questions to ask during viewings
- Are there other families with children in the building?
- Does the pool have a children's area and reserved hours?
- Do windows and balconies have suitable safety features?
- How far is the nearest school bus stop on foot?
- Would the owner add some furniture or children's equipment?
10.How we can help
Tell us the school you are considering, the number of children, your budget and your workplace: we will suggest homes within a reasonable commute and arrange viewings, in person or by video.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the French lycée in Bangkok?
In the Ramkhamhaeng / Pracha Uthit area, east of the centre. Check the exact address and bus routes directly with the school.
Which neighbourhood suits a family on a tighter budget?
Rama 9, Ramkhamhaeng or On Nut offer more space for the same rent than Phrom Phong or Thong Lo. A house in an estate further east can also be worth it if you have a car.
How much do international schools cost?
Fees vary a lot by school and grade. Each school publishes its fee schedule: check it directly, along with any registration and application fees.
Do you need a car as a family in Bangkok?
Not necessarily in a condo near the BTS or MRT, especially if the school runs a bus. In a house in an estate, a car becomes almost essential.
General information updated on 10 October 2026; check your contract and with the Find Easy team.
