Moving to Thailand With Children

Schools, healthcare, costs and Israeli community in Thailand for relocating families.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-07
Schools Abroad
Strong international schools in Bangkok ($8k–$25k/yr); public schools teach in Thai.
Family Healthcare
World-class private hospitals (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital) at low cost; public system weaker for foreigners.
Childcare Costs
Among the most affordable destinations; Bangkok costs a fraction of Western capitals.

Moving to Thailand With Children

Thailand is one of the most affordable long-stay destinations in Asia for Israeli families, combining world-class private healthcare, strong international schools in Bangkok, and very low day-to-day living costs.

Schools

Public schools teach exclusively in Thai, so nearly all expat families use international schools. Bangkok has a wide range of accredited international schools offering British, American, and IB curricula, with tuition ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 per year per child. NIST International School, Bangkok Patana School, and Shrewsbury International School are among the most popular. Outside Bangkok, options narrow considerably.

Healthcare

Bangkok has some of the best private hospitals in Asia. Bumrungrad International Hospital and Bangkok Hospital are internationally accredited, English-friendly, and significantly cheaper than equivalent care in Western countries. A family consultation typically costs $30–$80 without insurance. Comprehensive family health insurance from a Thai or international insurer runs $150–$400/month and is strongly recommended. The public healthcare system is not designed for foreigners and should not be relied upon.

Costs

A family of four can live comfortably in Bangkok for $2,200–$3,800 per month including rent, food, transport, and activities — but excluding international school tuition. Central Bangkok one-bedroom condos rent for $700–$900/month; larger family apartments average $1,200–$1,800/month. Groceries, restaurants, and domestic services are a fraction of Western prices. Internet speeds average 230 Mbps. The main variable is school tuition: budget an additional $700–$2,000/month per child.

Israeli Community

Bangkok has a small but active Israeli and Jewish presence. Chabad Bangkok operates a synagogue, kosher restaurant, and holiday events, serving a transient and growing expat community. There are also Chabad houses on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The Israeli community is estimated at 2,000–4,000 people and skews young, remote-working, and entrepreneurial. It is not a long-established diaspora community on the scale of Western Europe or North America, and there are no dedicated Hebrew-language day schools. One school offers some Hebrew programming. Networking largely happens through WhatsApp groups and co-working spaces.

Practical Tips

  • The DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) is the easiest path for remote workers: 5-year multi-entry, obtainable from a Thai consulate in under 6 weeks in most cases.
  • The LTR visa is better for high earners ($80k+/year income) and investors: 10-year validity with tax incentives.
  • Get a Thai tax adviser before the end of your first year — the 2024 remittance tax rule can catch new arrivals off guard.
  • Thai is essential for bureaucracy and daily errands outside central Bangkok; children adapt quickly but should have Thai language support.