Under the Private School Act B.E. 2550, a private school is private educational establishment providing an international curriculum, an international curriculum with modifications, or a curriculum established by the school itself, approved by the Ministry of Education. Students are accepted without restriction or limitation on nationality, religion, or government regime. Courses are taught in a foreign language.
The location of the school is important in establishing whether a private school requires a license. To this point, a seminar that is held consistently in the same specific place and contains fundamental teaching courses may be deemed as the institution of a private school. Occasional seminars that are set in varying places such as hotel convention rooms are not considered fundamental education.
In order to operate any form of teaching institute in Thailand, a School License must be acquired prior to starting operations.
A school must operate through a Thai limited company which would require a Thai shareholder holding at least 51% of the company’s equity. The director and manager or so-called school principal must be a Thai national (can be the same individual), must be at least 20 years of age, be a person of proper and good moral conduct, hold a bachelor degree or higher, and should not be working simultaneously in another school or teaching institute.
The land where the business will be established must fulfill the following requirements:
• Must be of features and a size appropriate and spacious for relevant educational activities
• Must be located in a good environment with convenient transportation and shall be fenced to provide demarcation of the exact area
• Must be spacious enough for the school’s operation, shall not be a flooded area and shall provide hygienic and sanitary conditions
• Shall not be near potentially hazardous industrial factories or other places inappropriate for school business
• At least 1/3 of the land must provide greenery
• At least 1/3 of the area in use must be an indoor or outdoor space for activities that support learning, teaching and the recreation of students
School buildings must fulfill the following requirements:
• Must be stable and strong, have sufficient light and be well ventilated, and have a fire exit or a fire protection measure
• Must be permitted to be used for education purposes
• The classroom must have the area not less than 20 sq. m. provided that it has the width not less than 3.5 m and 2 entrances
• The toilet and showers must be separated for male and female students
• There must be nurse’s room with the provision of appropriate medical supplies. For schools with primary level onwards, nurse’s rooms must be gender-specific
• Shall not be any business operation in the school’s area
• The licensee must own the building or have the lease for the term not less than 3 years from the date of submission
The application for a School License must be submitted to the Ministry of Education as soon as the company has been incorporated and will be issued within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application.
The Teacher and Education Personnel Act. B.E. 2546 provides that teachers and education personnel require a teaching license personally, as the professional license. Such licenses are often required due to the responsibility involved with educating, supporting, and supervision in an education institution.