“I want my child to grow up with quiet strength.”

These are the words of a Bangkok-based Thai investor in his 40s, who owns multiple real estate holdings across the city. His sentiment reflects a growing shift among affluent families in Southeast Asia—particularly those who once favored Western nations or Singapore for educational migration.

Today, these families are beginning to seriously consider Tokyo. Behind this shift lies a new value system—one that prioritizes the “quality of upbringing” over test scores or academic rankings.

■ The Educational Dilemma Facing Thailand’s Affluent Class

In recent years, Thailand’s high-net-worth families have found themselves navigating a complex educational landscape—one shaped by rising costs, uneven academic outcomes, and growing socio-political instability.

• High tuition fees for private and international schools, with inconsistent records of university placement and academic performance

• Severe traffic congestion in central Bangkok, making daily commutes stressful and time-consuming for young students

• Recurring political unrest, public demonstrations, and environmental issues such as PM2.5 air pollution, which at times restrict outdoor activity and disrupt normal schooling

These persistent issues are leading many families to a shared realization: “there is a limit to the quality of education we can provide within the country.”

As a result, a growing number of Thailand’s elite are now actively exploring overseas education and relocation.

■ Why Tokyo? Five Distinct Reasons 

1. Unmatched Safety and Cleanliness

Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest cities. For families, this means peace of mind:

• Children can commute safely, even independently, on well-maintained public transit or walkable streets.

• The city offers exceptional environmental standards, with clean air, safe water, and strict food safety regulations.

2. Seamless Integration of Japanese Values in Global Education

Tokyo offers something rare: the ability to provide children with a global education while instilling core Japanese values:

• Respect, discipline, punctuality, and social harmony

• Delivered organically through international school settings, without cultural rigidity

3. Educational Cost Efficiency

Tokyo’s international school tuition ranges from approximately JPY 2M to 3.5M per year, offering remarkable value when compared to Bangkok’s top-tier institutions, which often charge JPY 3M to 5M annually.

4. Long-Term Strategic Potential

• Admission to Japan’s prestigious universities

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Japanese

• Career prospects in Japanese corporations and across Asian markets

In fact, individuals who are Thai nationals fluent in Japanese are becoming increasingly valuable across industries.

5. A City Designed for Whole-Family Wellbeing

With education, healthcare, housing, and access to nature all seamlessly integrated within the city, Tokyo offers a complete ecosystem that elevates not only a child’s development but the well-being of the entire family.

■ Why Bangkok’s Elite Families Are Drawn to Tokyo’s Top International Schools

Parents in Bangkok focus on these international schools:

• The British School in Tokyo (BST)

• Aoba-Japan International School

• Tokyo International School (TIS)

• The American School in Japan (ASIJ)

These schools deliver rigorous English-language education while also incorporating Japanese language and cultural elements, nurturing students who are not only globally competent but also locally attuned—true bridges between cultures.

Another key advantage of Tokyo’s international schools lies in their curricular diversity. Families can choose from globally recognized frameworks such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), IGCSE, and Advanced Placement (AP). This flexibility allows for a highly personalized academic journey.

■ Real Voices: Why Thailand’s Affluent Families Are Choosing Tokyo

• Thai Entrepreneur, Father of Two
  “Since moving to Tokyo, there’s been a noticeable sense of calm in our children. The school commute is smooth, and they genuinely enjoy their days.”

• Thai Medical Doctor (Mother)
  “I was deeply moved by the way Tokyo’s education teaches children to form their own opinions while respecting others. This was something we never quite experienced back in Bangkok.”

• Real Estate Investor Couple
  “We wanted to plant the seeds early—giving our children the option to study at a Japanese university or one day launch a business in Japan. An education in Tokyo opens those doors.”

■ Summary: From a “City of Choice” to a “City of Nurture”

While Bangkok and Tokyo are geographically close, the two cities offer markedly different experiences in terms of educational culture and social maturity.

More Thai high-net-worth families—who once focused on Western education—are now turning their attention to Japan, not out of convenience, but out of conviction. They see in Tokyo a trusted environment for holistic development.

Tokyo is no longer just a city to send your child to school—It is a city where families can live with confidence, invest with purpose, and raise their children with integrity and calm strength.