Tutoring Franchise in Thailand: The Complete 2026 Guide

Thailand has one of Asia's most visible tutoring cultures. In Bangkok, tutoring schools (rong rian kuat wicha) fill floors of shopping centres near the city's best-known schools, and weekend classes are a normal part of secondary school life. For anyone considering a tutoring franchise in Thailand, demand is not in question. The questions are which part of the market to serve, how to license a centre, and how franchising works in a country without a dedicated franchise law.

This guide covers the school system and its exams, why tutoring demand is strong, what a tutoring franchise is, how it compares with the alternatives, the licensing and franchise rules, and how Success Tutoring approaches Thailand.

The Thai school system, entrance exams and TCAS

Thai schooling runs through prathom (primary, P.1 to P.6), lower secondary (mathayom M.1 to M.3) and upper secondary (M.4 to M.6). Three moments drive most tutoring decisions.

• Entry to M.1. Well-known secondary schools, particularly in Bangkok, run competitive admissions. Families often start preparing in the upper primary years.
• Entry to M.4. Moving into upper secondary at a sought-after school, or into a special program such as an English or science track, is a second competitive step.
• TCAS. University admission runs through the Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS), operated by the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT). Since TCAS66, according to the CUPT, the core tests have been TGAT (general aptitude, including English), TPAT (professional aptitude) and A-Level subject tests. Mathematics and English carry weight across most pathways.

Because these steps come every three years, many families want continuous support rather than a short cram course before each exam. That is the space a membership-based English and Maths centre is built for.

International results also explain parental concern. In the OECD's PISA 2022 assessment, Thai 15-year-olds scored below the OECD average in mathematics, and the OECD's country note highlights how strongly results are linked to students' socio-economic background. Parents who can afford it look to tutoring to close the gap.

Why tutoring demand is strong in Thailand

There is no recent official measure of the Thai tutoring market, and figures quoted online often lack a source. The drivers are well established:

• Competitive transitions. M.1, M.4 and TCAS all reward strong Maths and English results.
• English as a differentiator. English programs in schools, international-track university courses and employers all value English, and parents start early.
• A mature tutoring industry. Tutoring schools are licensed as a recognised category of private school, and families are used to paying for them. Brand names in Thai tutoring are well known to parents.
• Weekend and holiday learning. Thai families commonly use weekends and school holidays for extra classes, which helps a centre fill its timetable.

What a tutoring franchise is

A tutoring franchise licenses you to run a learning business under an established brand, using its curriculum, systems, training and marketing. You pay an initial fee and ongoing royalties; you own the local business, lease the premises and employ the tutors.

In Thailand much of the market is sold by course: a term of a subject, or an exam preparation package. A membership model works differently. Families pay a recurring fee for a set number of weekly sessions, which gives the centre more predictable revenue and puts the focus on long-term progress rather than the next exam. Costs are led by rent (often in shopping centres or retail strips), tutor wages and marketing. Our complete tutoring franchise guide explains the model in more depth.

Tutoring franchise vs worksheet centres, private tutors and independent tutoring schools

• Worksheet-based centres. Kumon is the best-known international example: a self-learning method in which students work through graded worksheets at their own pace. It builds discipline and suits families who value daily practice. Success Tutoring is a personalised K–12 English and Maths program, delivered by tutors in modern, retail-style centres on a membership basis. Our Success Tutoring vs Kumon comparison sets out the differences in detail.
• Private tutors. One-to-one tutors at home or online offer flexibility, but quality varies and there is no system behind them.
• Independent tutoring schools. Many Thai tutoring schools are built around a well-known teacher. That can be powerful, but it depends on one person and is hard to replicate.
• A tutoring franchise. You trade some independence for a tested system, a recognisable brand, structured tutor training and launch support.

What to look for in a tutoring franchise in Thailand

1. Licensing support. Ask how the franchisor helps partners obtain a tutoring school licence, including premises and curriculum approval (see below).
2. Curriculum alignment. Ask how the program maps to the Thai basic education curriculum and to M.1, M.4 and TCAS requirements, and how it is delivered in Thai and English.
3. A launch system. Ask how the franchisor fills a centre before opening day. Our launch support page explains pre-marketing.
4. Tutor recruitment and training. Ask how tutors are recruited, trained and kept, particularly English tutors.
5. Territory and site. Ask how territories are protected and how the franchisor chooses sites. When you browse in Thai, our franchise territories page shows indicative territories in Thai cities.
6. Full disclosure. Ask for the complete investment in writing. Our investment schedule shows how Success Tutoring structures it.
7. References. Speak to current franchise partners about support after opening.

Licensing a tutoring school under the Private School Act

In Thailand a tutoring school is a non-formal private school under the Private School Act B.E. 2550 (2007). Before teaching, the operator must obtain a licence to establish the school through the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC, known in Thai as สช.) or the relevant provincial education office. The process generally involves review of the premises, the curriculum and the people responsible for the school, and licensed schools remain subject to ongoing supervision.

For a franchise partner this means:

• the licence is held locally, so allow time for approval in your launch plan;
• premises need to meet the requirements for a school as well as building and fire safety rules;
• the program and its teaching staff need to be presented in the form the authorities expect.

Requirements and processes can differ by province and change over time. Check the current position with OPEC or your provincial education office, and with a Thai education lawyer.

Franchise regulation in Thailand

Thailand has no single franchise statute. Instead, the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) issued guidelines on unfair trade practices in franchise businesses under the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 (2017). According to the law firms Tilleke & Gibbins and LawPlus:

• Timing. The guidelines were published in the Government Gazette in December 2019, took effect in February 2020 and were updated in 2020 and 2021.
• Pre-contract disclosure. Before signing, a franchisor must disclose key information, including royalties and other mandatory payments, the franchise business model, intellectual property rights, and the terms for renewal and termination of the agreement.
• Nearby outlets. Under the 2021 update, a franchisor opening a new outlet must notify the closest existing franchisee and offer a 30-day right of first refusal, unless that franchisee's performance falls below criteria communicated in advance.

Other points to cover:

• Foreign ownership. The Foreign Business Act may restrict foreign shareholdings in some service businesses; structure a master franchise with advice.
• Trademark. Check that the franchisor's brand is registered with Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property.
• Leases. Shopping-centre leases are often short with renewal options; align the lease term with your franchise term.

This is general information only. Engage a Thai franchise lawyer and accountant before signing anything.

How Success Tutoring approaches Thailand

Success Tutoring was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2017 by Michael Black and has been franchising since around 2020. It has announced international markets including New Zealand, the United States, Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom and India. Thailand is not one of the markets it has announced a launch in: at the time of writing (October 2026), Success Tutoring has no centres in Thailand and is looking for franchise partners and a master franchise partner there.

The model offered to partners:

• retail-style learning centres for K–12 students, focused on English and Mathematics;
• a membership model with launch and pre-marketing support, so centres sign members before opening;
• site selection, leasing and fit-out support;
• tutor recruitment and online tutor training;
• learning resources and curriculum, with ongoing marketing under a global brand;
• a flat structure in which franchise partners deal directly with head office leadership.

Partners do not need to be teachers; many come from corporate, engineering, finance and small-business backgrounds. Success Tutoring is a member of the Franchise Council of Australia and the International Franchise Association. A master franchise partner in Thailand would work with head office on licensing, curriculum alignment and building a network. For nearby markets, see our guides to a tutoring franchise in Vietnam and Singapore.

Frequently asked questions

Is there demand for a tutoring franchise in Thailand?

Yes. Competitive entry to M.1 and M.4 and university admission through TCAS keep Maths and English in demand, and Thai families are used to paying for tutoring.

Do I need a licence to open a tutoring centre in Thailand?

Yes. A tutoring school is a non-formal private school under the Private School Act B.E. 2550, and needs a licence through OPEC or the provincial education office before teaching starts.

Is there a franchise law in Thailand?

There is no dedicated franchise statute. The Trade Competition Commission's franchise guidelines, issued under the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560, require pre-contract disclosure and prohibit unfair practices. Take local legal advice.

How much does it cost to open a Success Tutoring centre in Thailand?

We do not publish figures in articles. The investment depends on city, site and partnership model; see the investment schedule.

Is Success Tutoring open in Thailand?

No. Success Tutoring has not announced a launch or any centre in Thailand. It is seeking franchise partners and a master franchise partner.

Next steps

A tutoring franchise in Thailand enters a market where families already value tutoring and where licensing and franchise rules reward well-organised operators. Read why us for how Success Tutoring supports franchise partners, then follow the process from enquiry to opening day.

All third-party trademarks belong to their respective owners. Figures about other franchises are taken from their public websites, disclosure documents or reputable franchise directories at the time of writing and may have changed; verify them directly before making any decision. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.