International Schools Association of Thailand

What International Schools Association of Thailand does

International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) is a non-profit educational association founded in 1994 and headquartered in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand. It serves as the unified representative body for approximately 200 international schools across Thailand, providing advocacy with Thai government ministries and regulatory bodies (including the Ministry of Education, ONESQA, OPEC, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security), accreditation guidance for member schools pursuing recognition from agencies such as CIS, WASC, and NEASC, safeguarding resources, and a member school directory. The association is governed by an elected volunteer committee currently led by President Usa Somboon (2024-2026 term).

ISAT's core service lines are professional learning programs (workshops, learning journeys, and thematic events for educators and school administrators), accreditation support services, the Member Schools Directory, a Teacher Resources Portal for member-only educational content, and safeguarding and ISAT Protocol frameworks. Technology is a supporting layer rather than a core product: the association runs an online directory, member portal, and public website (isat.or.th), but does not develop proprietary technology products. Monetization is dual-track: recurring membership dues from international schools and event-based fees (e.g., Learning Journey 2026 at THB 11,000-13,500 per attendee), supplemented by corporate supporters and sponsors. Distribution is single-country (Thailand), direct membership-driven, and event-anchored, with a go-to-motion that blends sales-led acquisition (school application and accreditation vetting) with mid-funnel engagement through workshops, AGMs, and convening events such as the 2025 AGM with the Minister of Education and Microsoft Thailand CEO.

Name

International Schools Association of Thailand

Legal name

International Schools Association of Thailand

Website

https://isat.or.th

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ISAT is a non-profit association founded in 1994 that represents approximately 200 international schools in Thailand, providing government advocacy, accreditation support, safeguarding guidance, and professional learning programs for member institutions and their educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pak Kret

HQ country

Thailand

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ISAT generates revenue through membership fees from international schools. Member schools pay dues to be part of the association and gain access to professional development, networking, accreditation support, and advocacy services.
2. Professional Learning Event Registration: Revenue generated from registration fees for workshops, learning journeys, and professional development events. For example, the ISAT Learning Journey 2026 charged THB 11,000-13,500 per participant depending on room type and registration timing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ISAT is a non-profit membership association representing 200 international schools across Thailand. It provides accreditation guidance, government advocacy, professional learning workshops, safeguarding resources, and networking services to member schools and their educators. Its role is to act as the unified voice for the international education community in dealings with Thai ministries and accreditation bodies.

Product overview

ISAT operates as a non-profit association providing a suite of services to international schools in Thailand. Its core offerings include professional learning programs (workshops and training for educators), accreditation support services, and a member schools directory. Additional services encompass a Teacher Resources Portal for educational materials, events and networking opportunities (including General Member Meetings and AGMs), safeguarding resources, and advocacy through the ISAT Protocol. These services work together to unite international schools under high standards of educational quality, ethical practices, and collaborative development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Learning Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Represents 200 international schools across Thailand
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Equitable Education Fund (EEF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026ISAT collaborates with the Equitable Education Fund on the ODOS Scholarship Project. Several ISAT member schools volunteer to host outstanding Thai students and provide them with an immersive international school experience to help prepare them for future studies abroad.
• Microsoft ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2025Microsoft Thailand CEO Dhanawat Suthumpun delivered a presentation at ISAT's Annual General Meeting 2025 on 'Using AI to Amplify Learning Now and in the Future', exploring AI's role in personalizing learning and supporting teachers.
• Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONESQA is a respected public organization that ensures educational institutions in Thailand adhere to national quality standards. All international schools in Thailand must undergo accreditation from ONESQA. ISAT supports member schools in meeting these requirements and maintains collaboration for quality assurance.
• Office for Private Education Commissions (OPEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPEC operates under Thailand's Ministry of Education and recognizes international accreditation bodies for international schools. ISAT members include schools accredited by agencies acknowledged by OPEC.
• Ministry of Education (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISAT works closely with the Ministry of Education on implementing common resolutions and supporting government policy. The Minister of Education delivers keynote addresses at ISAT events, and ISAT participates in collaborative educational initiatives.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ASC WASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASC WASC is one of the recognized overseas accreditation agencies for international schools in Thailand. Member schools maintain accreditation through agencies like WASC to meet quality standards.
• Council for International Schools (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIS is a recognized international accreditation body. ISAT member schools maintain accreditation from CIS and other approved agencies to demonstrate commitment to international education standards.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEASC is one of the major international accreditation agencies recognized by OPEC. ISAT member schools include institutions accredited by NEASC.
• Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn UniversityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAssistant Professor Dr. Manasikarn Hengsuwan, Deputy Director of the Institute, led an ISAT workshop on 'Enhancing Thai Language Instruction through AI' at Bangkok Patana School on July 3, 2025.
• Dr. Derrick GayminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDr. Derrick Gay facilitated ISAT's two-day Intercultural Competency Workshop on January 28-29, 2026, focusing on strengthening intercultural competencies and fostering school cultures grounded in dignity and respect.
• BJC (Berli J背景el Plantations Public Company Limited)minorOthersBJC is listed as a supporter of ISAT's professional learning initiatives, providing corporate sponsorship or support for educational events.
• BooksmartminorOthersBooksmart is listed as a supporter of ISAT's professional learning initiatives, providing educational resources or sponsorship.
• JARTONminorOthersJARTON is listed as a supporter of ISAT's professional learning initiatives.
• โลหะกิจรุ่งเรืองทรัพย์ (Lohakij Rungreungsap)minorOthersโลหะกิจรุ่งเรืองทรัพย์ is listed as a supporter of ISAT's professional learning initiatives.
• PURICASminorOthersPURICAS is listed as a supporter of ISAT's professional learning initiatives.
• Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISAT collaborates with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security on safeguarding matters. Through this partnership, ISAT supports member schools by providing knowledge and resources on safeguarding best practices.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International School Services (ISS): ISS is a long-established global services organization supporting international schools with recruitment, training, and operational consulting. Comparable to ISAT in target market (international schools) but with a commercial-services rather than association/membership model.
• Council of International Schools (CIS): CIS is a globally recognized accreditation body and membership organization for international schools. It is one of ISAT's key accreditation partners (CIS, WASC, NEASC are all recognized by OPEC) and operates a similar school-membership model at global scale.

Direct peers

• Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA): AISA is a membership association of international schools across Africa offering PD, advocacy, and leadership programs. It is a near-perfect structural analog to ISAT, differing only in geography and market maturity.
• Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS): ECIS is a global membership organization for international schools offering conferences, professional development, and leadership programs. Its member-service model, fee-based membership, and event-driven engagement are directly comparable to ISAT's value proposition.
• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE): AAIE is a leadership association for international school heads and administrators, providing convening, advocacy, and professional learning. Overlap with ISAT is on the leadership-PD and advocacy dimensions, though AAIE is global and head-focused.
• Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA): NESA is a membership association of international schools in the Near East and South Asia regions. It provides learning workshops, conferences, and advocacy for member institutions — directly comparable in mission, structure, and member type to ISAT.
• East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS): EARCOS is a regional membership association of ~180 international and independent schools across East Asia. Like ISAT, it provides professional learning, leadership workshops, and advocacy for international schools, making it the closest peer by structure, mission, and member type — differing mainly in geographic scope.

Regional players

• Federation of British International Schools in South East Asia (FOBISSEA): FOBISSEA is a regional association of British international schools across Southeast Asia, with sport, arts, and PD programming. It is comparable to ISAT as a regional international-school membership body, with partial overlap on PD and events.

Others

• Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) Thailand: OPEC is the Thai regulatory body that licenses private and international schools. ISAT works with OPEC as a partner (it recognizes international accreditation bodies), making OPEC a regulatory counterpart rather than competitor, but a useful structural reference for ISAT's role in the Thai international education ecosystem.
• Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA): ONESQA is the Thai national quality-assurance body for all schools, including international schools. ISAT is a strategic partner supporting member-school ONESQA accreditation. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but is essential context for ISAT's service stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Schools Association of Thailand