Bangkok is disorienting at first: huge, frantic, humid. Then it wins you over fast, because the city is surprisingly gentle with families: smiles everywhere, easy daily life and a well-established French-speaking community. Here is the essential picture.
Currency
Thai baht (฿)
Languages
Thai (English in expat areas)
Time vs Paris
5 to 6h ahead (5h in summer)
Emergencies
191 (police), 1669 (ambulance)
FIAFE network
The Accueil for French-speaking families
In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.
Bangkok Accueil
Since 2001
Since 2001, Bangkok Accueil has been welcoming French-speaking families to the Thai capital: neighbourhood buddies ("parrains et marraines"), coffee meetups, discovery outings and big festive or charity gatherings.
Where to meet them
No fixed drop-in at the moment: email [email protected] and the team will point you to the next neighbourhood coffee or apéro.
Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.
UFE
UFE Thaïlande
The Thai chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger: welcome, mutual aid and social events for the French in Thailand, including the large Bangkok community.
The Thai section of Français du monde - ADFE informs French residents in Thailand, helps with their paperwork and relays their concerns to the consular authorities.
The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.
CCI France International
Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce (FTCC)
The Franco-Thai chamber, based in Bangkok, runs over 60 events a year: networking, a job board and support to settle in professionally make the move easier for a spouse and the family.
To follow local life in French: news, what's on, good addresses and, often, a directory of French-speaking professionals.
lepetitjournal.com Thaïlande
MediaIn French
The Thai edition of the online daily for French expatriates, 'the media of expats in Bangkok': news, community, events, housing, education, health, settling in and classifieds, with a newsletter.
The expat directory lists establishments and professionals by category (health with BNH and Samitivej, education, tourism, art); professionals list themselves.
Bangkok's French-language magazine since 1994, now online: news from Thailand and Asia, a 'Living in Thailand' section (consular matters, visas, work, associations), practical guides such as the visa guide, the Gavroche Hebdo and Gavroche Éco newsletters, and twenty years of print archives.
'Le site Info Thaïlande', published by Siam News Network and written from Bangkok: news, economy, society, health, visas and an expatriation section that tracks rule changes (visa-free stays, taxation of remitted income, cost of living).
French-language guide and news portal on Thailand: daily news, festivals and public holidays, seasons and weather, transport, visas, and a practical section useful to newcomers (opening a bank account, cost of living), plus a readers' forum.
No professional directory, but a practical section: banking, visas, transport, scams to know about, motorbike licence.
Before you even land in Bangkok, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.
Very active Public In English
BANGKOK EXPATS Apartment / House / Condo for Rent and Sale Bangkok Thailand
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BANGKOK EXPATS Apartment / House / Condo for Rent and Sale Bangkok Thailand
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BANGKOK EXPATS CLASSIFIEDS FORUM & THAI COMMUNITY 🏡💬
Welcome to one of Bangkok’s most active and trusted buy & sell communities! 🎉 Whether you're an expat settling in or a local looking for great deals, this is the place to buy, sell, rent, and connect!
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Join the conversation, meet like-minded people, and make the most of life in Thailand! 🚀 #BangkokCommunity #BuySellRent
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Welcome to the Bangkok Expats Facebook Community 🙏
This is a vibrant and helpful English speaking language community and discussion group for everyone...
Please read our GROUP RULES! Click on LEARN MORE to read. Unless pre-approved, all posts will be shown only after admin approval. We will remove anything that breaks any rule, and repeat offenders will be banned! Posts that come from no profile users will most likely be deleted.
Ce groupe a été créé par Phra Kitthivetho pour permettre à tous de publier ou partager un post qui a pour but de trouver, rencontrer un (d’autres ) français ( e,es) ou francophone (s)dans le but de boire un verre, partager un repas ou un simple moment, pour échanger sur son voyage, recueillir ou donner des conseils ou informations ou toute autre raison...je publie aussi des actualités thaïlandaises et de bonnes adresses qui peuvent vous être utiles.
Je vous invite à prendre connaissance des règles qui conditionnent le fonctionnement du groupe …
Si vous rencontrez un problème ( extraordinaire) vous pouvez me joindre via messenger…
Welcome to THAILAND EXPATS
A friendly community for people living in Thailand, moving to Thailand, visiting Thailand or simply interested in daily life...
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🌴 Discover the Land of Smiles with your fellow expats! 🌴
This is your supportive community for navigating the beautiful chaos and serenity of life in Thailand. Whether you're dreaming of moving here, just arrived, or are a long-term resident, this group is for sharing experiences, advice, and adventures.
We celebrate everything that makes Thailand incredible: the warm climate, stunning beaches of Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi, the vibrant culture of Bangkok, the rich history of Chiang Mai, and of course, the world-famous Thai smiles.
Join us to:
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Love Thailand is dedicated to sharing the beauty of this nation. Be kind, be respectful, and enjoy your journey in the Land of Smiles!
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This group is for Expats in Thailand or visitors seeking information about Thailand, the group is open for all types of discussions, sharing news, Q&A’s in relation to visas, insurance or anything related to Thailand. Strictly no advertising without the permission of admin, spam and real estate posts are forbidden unless responding to a member request, any such posts will be deleted with repeat offenders being banned from the group. Happy posting and please, please be nice 😊
Français en Thailande : Tout savoir sauf la Météo...
51,100 members · ≈ 5 posts/week
Groupe de discussion ouvert à toutes les personnes vivant en Thailande ou désireuses d'avoir de renseignements sur la vie en Thailande.
Découvrez également les différentes activités en Thailande sur le site:
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La langue du groupe est le Français
Les Annonces immobilières et annonces de ventes et de locations en tout genre, les liens vers de sites contenant des liens publicitaires, les offres de prêts ou autres arnaques en tout genres seront supprimés.
Les profils de moins de 1 an seront refusés,en effet très souvent les offres de prêt et autres arnaques viennent de profils récents.
Sauf la météo surtout pour les demandes de prévisionsionnelles auxquelles les membres du groupe ne peuvent pas répondre avec certitudes.
Il va de soit que les post injurieux, pornographiques, propos racistes, calomnies, non respect de la Royauté Thailandaise et de Bouddha et toutes personnes insultant une autre seront banis.
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Welcome to the Bangkok Expats Facebook Group!
This is an English-speaking community and discussion forum for anyone living in or interested in the Kingdom of Thailand. Whether you’re an expat, frequent traveler, businessperson, or simply seeking information about Thailand, this group has you covered. Feel free to ask questions, share your discoveries, and offer tips.
For classified please advertise on our classified group,
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gm6cAXZHo/
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On that note, please be kind to one another. To everyone living in or curious about Thailand, welcome!
Bangkok Expat Families is here to promote creativity and foster positive learning experiences for babies and children through sharing, whilst providing an information and support network to all families throughout Thailand.
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Feel free to post anything related to Bangkok Expat Families, and we will approve them as soon as we can.
We can also use this board to ask and answer any family related questions.
Please invite your expat friends who have families in Thailand!
Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.
AEFE network
Accredited French schools
Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.
Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr
Tutoring and private lessons
To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.
Axiom Academic
Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.
The Lycée français international de Bangkok (LFIB), AEFE-affiliated, teaches around a thousand pupils from nursery to the French baccalaureate. Over in Sathorn and Sukhumvit, three accredited French preschools complete the picture for little ones.
Good to know
The LFIB sits in Ramkhamhaeng, east of the city: most families use the school bus, so factor the commute into your choice of neighbourhood.
For ages 2 to 6, La Petite École (Yen Akat) and the Acacia preschools (Sathorn, Ekkamai) offer French nursery right in the expat areas.
Apply early: admissions are handled online and the youngest classes fill up fast.
The international offering (British, American, IB curricula) is vast, but fees climb quickly: negotiate them into the expat package.
French-speaking community
Thailand counts over 12,000 French citizens registered at the consulate, most of them in Bangkok. The community is warm and organised: you find your circle fast.
Good to know
Bangkok Accueil (FIAFE network) has welcomed newcomers since 2001, with neighbourhood buddies across the city.
Sukhumvit (Phrom Phong, Thonglor, Ekkamai) and Sathorn are home to most French-speaking families.
UFE Thaïlande and Français du monde - ADFE complete the support network.
The Alliance Française de Bangkok, in Sathorn, offers a media library and activities in French for children.
A place has closed, something has changed?
The arrival reflex
The apps to download when you land
Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Bangkok uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.
Getting around
Grab
Bangkok's number-one reflex: private cars, taxis and motorbike taxis, plus food (GrabFood) and grocery (GrabMart) delivery in a single app. Pay with a saved card.
The queen of apps in Thailand: everyday messaging, but also payments, news and the way you reach schools and shops. Here everyone uses LINE, not WhatsApp.
Bangkok's anti-waste app: surprise bags from bakeries, cafes and hotels at a small price, collected at the end of the day. Good for your budget and the planet.
What mums ask when they arrive in Bangkok, in short, sourced answers.
French school, bilingual preschool or international school: where do we start?
For ages 2 to 6, three AEFE-accredited preschools sit in the heart of the expat districts: La Petite École in Yen Akat and the Acacia schools in Sathorn and Ekkamai. From primary, the Lycée français international de Bangkok (LFIB) teaches up to the baccalauréat, but it is out in Ramkhamhaeng and most pupils take the school bus. AEFE grants are applied for at the consulate subject to means, with a January to March campaign and a second council in autumn for newcomers. Our Schools and School fees pages detail the options: /en/cities/bangkok/school-fees/.
Source ↗Which visa for the accompanying spouse and children?
One Non-Immigrant O 'dependant' visa per person, applied for online at thaievisa.go.th with the marriage certificate or family record book, the birth certificates and the passport page of the spouse holding the B visa or work permit. It opens a 90-day stay and does not allow work; in Thailand, immigration then extends the whole family's stay to one year, renewable. Beyond 90 consecutive days in the country, everyone reports their address to immigration. Details on /en/cities/bangkok/settling-in/.
Source ↗Do we need health insurance for the children?
Yes, and before you arrive: there is no public cover for foreign families, every consultation and hospital night is paid for, and the embassy never covers health costs or repatriation. France Diplomatie considers it imperative to hold a contract covering all medical costs, surgery and hospitalisation included, without which care can be refused even in a life-threatening emergency. The Caisse des Français de l'étranger is topped up with private insurance. It is all explained on /en/cities/bangkok/health/.
Source ↗How do I find a paediatrician, ideally French-speaking?
There is no community paediatrician: you register at the private hospital nearest home, Samitivej, BNH, Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital or MedPark, and choose your paediatrician there, often available the same day and late into the evening. The embassy's list of medical practitioners has only one French-speaking practitioner in Bangkok, a GP and paediatrician in Asoke; consultations therefore happen in English, sometimes with an interpreter. We reproduce the official list as it stands on /en/cities/bangkok/health/.
Source ↗Which number do I call if my child is ill at night?
1669 (or 1646) for a public ambulance, 191 for the police and 1155 for the English-speaking tourist police. In practice, families call their private hospital's ambulance or head to its emergency department, open 24/7: the only fully paediatric emergency department is at Samitivej Children's Hospital in Srinakarin, while BNH, Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital and MedPark take children in their general emergency departments. Save your hospital's number on arrival; the addresses are on /en/cities/bangkok/health/.
Source ↗Which neighbourhood should we settle in with children?
French families split between Sathorn, residential and smart with large compounds where children play safely, the French preschools and the BNH and Saint Louis hospitals, and Sukhumvit, from Phrom Phong to Ekkamai, livelier, with Acacia, Samitivej and the BTS at every soi. Ari appeals to those who want a house and a village feel, Ramkhamhaeng to those who want to live near the LFIB. Choose close to a BTS or MRT station, traffic decides everything. Our Settling in page reviews the neighbourhoods: /en/cities/bangkok/settling-in/.
In order: check that your landlord has filed the TM30, the accommodation report due within 24 hours; buy a SIM card with your passport; register the whole family with the French consular register, online, free and valid 5 years; choose your reference hospital and open your files there; open a bank account once the lease is signed; and note the date of your first 90-day report to immigration. Details on /en/cities/bangkok/settling-in/.
On the MRT, since 13 April 2026, children under 14 and up to 120 cm tall travel free, and children aged 7 and under regardless of height: show the child's passport at the ticket office. The BTS and MRT are two separate networks, with two top-up cards issued on presentation of a passport, and run from 6am to midnight. On Children's Day, the second Saturday of January, all trains are free for under-14s. Our transport tips are on /en/cities/bangkok/settling-in/.
Source ↗Nanny, housekeeper: how do you get a little one looked after?
Domestic help is widespread and affordable: families employ a housekeeper or nanny, full or part time, live-in or not, and many homes include a dedicated room. You recruit by word of mouth, expat Facebook groups or agencies that run background checks; set hours, leave, thirteenth month and overtime from the start. Candidates are very often Burmese: ask for their papers and work permit and keep a copy.
Source ↗My child speaks neither Thai nor English: how will they cope?
Very well: Bangkok's French and international schools are used to newly arrived children, and English comes quickly in the expat districts where it is everywhere. The challenge then becomes keeping French if school is international: the Alliance Française teaches 3 to 15-year-olds and runs holiday camps for 3 to 11-year-olds, the Théâtre des Invités opens its workshops to children, and the médiathèque lends picture books and comics. A few words of Thai learnt with the nanny or at school will do the rest. Our addresses are on /en/cities/bangkok/family-outings/.
Cheaper than Paris for housing, local food, transport and domestic help, but two items tip the balance: school, with the LFIB and international schools charging high fees, and healthcare, fully paid for and unregulated in the private sector. Imported goods, cheese and wine first, cost double or triple. Our Settling in page details the budget line by line: /en/cities/bangkok/settling-in/.
Source ↗Where can I meet other French-speaking mums?
Bangkok Accueil, an all-volunteer FIAFE association, assigns you a neighbourhood 'marraine', organises coffee mornings, discovery outings, regular activities and six big events a year, from the back-to-school welcome to the galette; membership gives access to sign-ups and the weekly newsletter. UFE Thaïlande and Français du monde complete the network, the school gates of the French preschools and the Alliance Française do the rest. The local French-language media, lepetitjournal.com Thaïlande and Gavroche, list the week's events.
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