Four private schools in Bangkok have requested closure for the 2026 academic year, with an estimated 20 to 30 private schools nationwide also seeking to shut down due to economic pressures and a declining birthrate. Supaset Kanakul, President of the Association Board of Coordination and Promotion of Private Education (APPE), revealed these figures after a meeting with the Ministry of Education, which was chaired by Education Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong.
The meeting’s primary agenda item was the welfare fund for private school teachers. Foreign teachers at private institutions have shown interest in contributing to this fund to access its benefits. However, no approval has been granted for their inclusion. The ministry stated that teachers must contribute to the fund for a minimum of 10 years to be eligible for benefits, a timeframe that exceeds the average six to seven-year tenure of foreign teachers in Thailand.
The ministry also pointed out that the number of foreign teachers expressing interest in the fund has been relatively small. Consequently, Minister Prasert has directed relevant departments to conduct a study on the matter before any further decisions are made.
Regarding school closures, Supaset reiterated that four private schools in Bangkok had recently applied for permission to cease operations, and an estimated 20 to 30 schools nationwide had submitted similar requests for the 2026 academic year. He cited the economic crisis and declining birthrate as the primary reasons for these closures, adding that some schools are also closing due to internal operator disputes or because heirs have chosen not to continue family businesses.
Supaset assured parents and the public that comprehensive plans would be finalized before any closures are approved, ensuring the smooth transfer of students to new schools and the provision of legal entitlements to teachers and educational staff. The Education Ministry is currently preparing to investigate if any additional private schools intend to request closure for the upcoming academic year.