Schools
Weather and the school year in Pattaya
Pattaya has three rough seasons. Knowing how they fit with the school year helps with planning a move, holidays and activities.
The seasons
The cool season, roughly November to February, is the driest and most comfortable time of year. The hot season follows, from March to May. The rainy season usually runs from May to October, with short, heavy downpours rather than all-day rain, and some flooding of low roads.
The school calendars
Most international schools in Thailand run from August to June, with a long summer break in June and July. Thai government schools start their year in mid-May, with a break in October and a long break in March and April.
The year at a glance
| Months | Weather | Thai government schools | Most international schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| November to February | Cool season: drier and less humid | Second semester | Autumn term ends, spring term starts in January |
| March to May | Hot season, with Songkran in mid-April | Long break from about March to mid-May | Spring term, Easter break, then summer term |
| May to October | Rainy season, heaviest in September and October | First semester starts in mid-May | Long summer break, then a new year in August |
Exact dates change from year to year and between schools, so check each school calendar.
What this means
- If you are moving with children at an international school, arriving in July gives you time to settle before term.
- A Thai school and an international school in the same family will have different holidays.
- Outdoor sport is easiest in the cool season. In the hot season, many schools move activities indoors or early in the morning.
Find schools
The International Schools Database lists Pattaya schools with their curriculum, which also tells you their likely term dates.