One of the practical details that trips up newly arrived expat families is the school calendar disconnect. If you're used to northern hemisphere school terms (September–July), Phuket's international school calendar takes some adjustment. And if you have some kids at an international school and others at a Thai school, or you're trying to plan holidays around multiple schools, you need to understand two entirely different systems.
This guide covers what you need to know about international school and Thai public school terms in Phuket for 2026, plus holiday planning tips and key dates to mark in your calendar.
Key Facts: School Calendars in Phuket
- International schools (BISP, UWC, HeadStart, QSI): August–June academic year
- Thai public schools: May–February with April hot season break
- Songkran (Thai New Year) 2026: 13–15 April — schools typically on holiday
- Christmas break: 2 weeks approx (late Dec–early Jan) at international schools
- Long summer break: mid-June to mid-August (international schools)
- Always verify exact dates directly with each school — they vary year to year
International Schools: The August–June Academic Year
All major international schools in Phuket follow an August–June academic year, structured around the British, IB, or American curriculum. This means:
- New school year starts: mid-August
- First major break: October/November half-term (1–2 weeks)
- Christmas break: approximately 23 December – 5 January
- Second term: January–March
- Easter/Songkran break: approximately 2 weeks in April
- Third term: April/May–mid-June
- Summer holiday: mid-June to mid-August (8–10 weeks)
These are approximate — exact term dates differ between schools and change slightly year to year. The single most important thing: always download the school calendar from the school's website directly at the start of each academic year. Dates shift and you cannot plan holidays around guesses.
BISP — British International School Phuket
Follows British term structure (3 terms, with half-terms). Academic year August–June. Strong on co-curricular and sports scheduling. Check bisp.ac.th for current year calendar. BISP is particularly strict about mid-term absence for holidays — build family travel around published breaks.
UWC Thailand (UWC Thalang)
IB Diploma and MYP school. Residential component with specific term dates. Academic year August–June but with structured residential activities. Calendars are published well ahead — download at uwcthai.ac.th. Less flexibility for mid-term travel due to residential structure.
HeadStart International School
Located on Sai Yuan Road in Rawai. Follows a UK-influenced academic calendar. Popular with the Rawai/Nai Harn expat community. More flexible admissions than BISP. Check headstartphuket.com for term dates. 3-term structure with half-terms and long summer break.
QSI International School Phuket
Quality Schools International — American curriculum, based in Rawai. August–June academic year with US-influenced holiday structure (Thanksgiving acknowledged, Christmas break, spring break). Smaller school size; good for families wanting smaller classes. qsiphuket.com for term dates.
Thai Public Schools: The May–February Academic Year
Thai public schools follow the Ministry of Education's national academic calendar, which is structured very differently from international school systems:
| Period | Thai Public School | International Schools (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Second semester, active | Second term, active |
| March–April | Long summer break (hot season) | In school (third term) |
| April 13–15 | Songkran — school holiday | Easter/Songkran break (varies) |
| Mid-May | New academic year starts | In school |
| June–July | First semester, active | Long summer break |
| August–October | First semester continues | New year starts mid-Aug |
| October | Mid-year break (2 weeks) | October half-term (1–2 wks) |
| November–December | Second semester, active | Third term, active |
| Late December | Continued (no Christmas break) | Christmas break (2 weeks) |
| January–February | Final exams and completion | In school |
The key point for expat families: if you have one child at BISP and another at a local Thai school, planning family holidays that work for both is genuinely tricky. Only two windows reliably overlap for both school systems: the October mid-year break and the Songkran/Easter period in April. Everything else is different.
Thai Public Holidays 2026: How They Affect Schools
Thailand has a set of national public holidays that affect school opening, banking, and government offices. International schools observe some but not all of these; Thai public schools observe all of them. Key 2026 dates:
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Int'l Schools | Thai Public Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Closed | Closed |
| Makha Bucha Day | ~5 February | Varies by school | Closed |
| Chakri Day | 6 April | Varies | Closed (in summer break) |
| Songkran / Thai New Year | 13–15 April | Easter break period | Closed |
| Labour Day | 1 May | Varies | Closed |
| Coronation Day | 4 May | Varies | Closed |
| Visakha Bucha | ~June | Summer break | Closed |
| King's Birthday | 28 July | Summer break | Summer break |
| Queen's Birthday / Mother's Day | 12 August | Near term start | Closed |
| King Rama IX Remembrance | 13 October | Half-term period | Closed |
| Chulalongkorn Day | 23 October | Often half-term | Closed |
| King's Birthday (Rama X) | 28 November | Varies | Closed |
| Constitution Day | 10 December | Varies | Closed |
Planning Family Holidays From Phuket Around School Terms
Best Windows for Family Travel
- Christmas break (late Dec–early Jan): 2 weeks, family-friendly, but peak prices everywhere — flights and hotels in Phuket plus your destination will be expensive. Book 3+ months ahead.
- Easter/Songkran break (April): 2 weeks. Phuket itself is at its hottest and driest. Good time to travel to cooler destinations — Japan cherry blossom season, Europe spring, or a quick trip to Australia. Songkran in Phuket is festive; kids usually love the water fights on Bangla Road.
- Summer break (mid-June to mid-August): 8–10 weeks. The main family holiday window. Monsoon season in Phuket — beach conditions can be rough — but a great time to travel back to home countries or take extended family holidays elsewhere in Asia.
- October half-term (1–2 weeks): Good for regional travel — Chiang Mai loy krathong lantern festival, Bali, Vietnam.
Planning Your Family's Phuket Move?
BISP and HeadStart have waiting lists for some year groups. Getting in touch with school admissions early is essential. We can connect you with school referral contacts to give your application the best start.
Enquire About BISP Admissions →Insider Tip: Avoid Mid-Term Absences at BISP
BISP in particular is known for being strict about attendance during term time. They track it closely, and absences for family holidays mid-term can affect academic records. If you want to travel and your child is at BISP, plan around the published breaks — the school's term dates are usually confirmed and published by the previous April for the incoming academic year.
Questions about which school suits your children and your Phuket area? We've navigated this for years and know the admissions realities.
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