Rising Costs Push Back-to-School Spending to 66 Billion Baht, Highest in 17 Years; 27% of Parents Face Shortfalls and Turn to Loans
Thai families are projected to spend 66 billion baht on back-to-school costs this year, the highest in 17 years, but nearly 27% of parents lack sufficient funds and are turning to loans to cover expenses.
According to Thanavon Polwichai, rector and advisor to the Economic and Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, back-to-school spending reflects persistent cost-of-living pressures on Thai households. The projected 66-billion-baht spending figure represents a 6% expansion and the highest level since surveys began 17 years ago in 2010. Despite rising costs, most parents prioritize their children's education by increasing spending on tutoring, school supplies, and tuition, while cutting savings and reducing other household expenses. Higher-quality schools—including international, bilingual, and private institutions—are becoming increasingly popular, demonstrating that Thai families view education as a critical investment in their children's futures.
Umakamol Suntrsurati, assistant director of the forecasting center, notes that average back-to-school spending per family stands at 29,930 baht, varying significantly by school type: 10,975 baht for public school regular classes, 33,874 baht for public school special classes, 31,040 baht for Thai-language private schools, and 52,660 baht for bilingual private schools. Nearly half of parents (48.3%) report increased expenses this year, with primary causes being higher product prices (32.4%), purchasing more items (21.9%), and rising transportation and fuel costs (13.8%).
Parent buying patterns show that 84.4% purchase new textbooks entirely, and 61.4% buy new shoes and socks, while showing more flexibility with other items like school supplies and bags. However, the back-to-school burden strains household liquidity, with 27.1% of parents reporting insufficient funds. To cope, they resort to institutional loans (26.0%), pawning assets (21.7%), borrowing from relatives (15.7%), installment payments (15.4%), cash advances on credit cards (12.4%), and informal loans (3.6%).
Nearly half of parents (49.8%) believe the current economic situation significantly impacts education spending, forcing them to cut back in other areas: reducing travel and recreation (36.4%), personal expenses (26.9%), household food costs (20.9%), and drawing down savings (13.7%). When asked what government support they need most, parents prioritize increased tax deductions for education expenses (36.9%), direct financial subsidies (34.5%), student transportation allowances (21.9%), and price controls on school-related goods (6.7%), highlighting that tuition, supplies, and fuel costs remain the primary pressures on Thai households during the school season.
