RIS Swiss Section, formally the Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok, is the German speaking school of Bangkok, located in the Min Buri district in the east of the city. Founded in 1963 by a Swiss teaching couple to keep expatriate children connected to their home school system, it teaches from pre kindergarten to Grade 12 towards the Swiss bilingual Matura and the German Abitur. It is one of the more distinctive options on our Bangkok city hub, recognised and subsidised by both the Swiss and German governments.
This is an independent reference page. No school pays to be listed on GlobalSchoolGuide. The facts below were researched from the school and public sources at the time of writing, with unconfirmed details marked not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
RIS Swiss Section follows a combined Swiss and German curriculum taught largely in German, leading to two recognised qualifications: the Swiss bilingual Matura, awarded in German and English, and the German Abitur. Both give direct access to universities in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, which is the school’s central purpose, keeping German speaking children aligned with their home systems while abroad.
This is a different model from the English medium IB, British and American schools that dominate Bangkok, and it suits families from German speaking backgrounds or those planning a move to a German speaking country. To see how it sits among the wider international options, browse the Bangkok city hub.
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RIS Swiss Section fees
RIS Swiss Section sits in the mid band on our Bangkok international school fees guide, helped by the support it receives from the Swiss and German governments, which keeps it below the most premium English medium campuses. Tuition varies by stage, so treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Budget for the usual Bangkok components alongside tuition: a registration or enrolment fee and optional extras such as transport, meals and trips. Our fee calculator helps turn the headline tuition into a realistic annual total once those line items are added.
Admissions
The school follows a German speaking academic calendar and admits children with the German language background needed to access teaching, so an assessment of German is usually part of entry alongside previous reports. Younger children can join with developing German, while older entrants need enough to follow the Matura or Abitur courses.
Because the school is comparatively small and specialised, places in some years are limited, so contacting admissions early is wise. The practical first steps are to register interest, share recent reports and visit the Min Buri campus.
Location and who goes there
RIS Swiss Section is in Min Buri in eastern Bangkok, on Soi Ramkhamhaeng 184, sharing a campus setting with Ruamrudee International School. The area is on the eastern edge of the city, residential and quieter than central Bangkok, and most families reach it by car or school bus rather than the Skytrain.
The community is built around German speaking expatriate families from Switzerland, Germany and Austria, a smaller and more focused group than the broad international rolls of the larger schools. For the wider picture of eastern Bangkok and the schools nearby, see the Bangkok city hub.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are RIS Swiss Section fees?
RIS Swiss Section sits in the mid band on our Bangkok fees guide, helped by Swiss and German government support that keeps it below the most premium campuses. Confirm current rates with the school and budget for a registration fee and optional transport and meals.
What curriculum does RIS Swiss Section follow?
RIS Swiss Section teaches a combined Swiss and German curriculum largely in German, leading to the Swiss bilingual Matura, awarded in German and English, and the German Abitur, both giving access to universities in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
What ages does RIS Swiss Section take?
The school teaches from pre kindergarten, at around age three, through to Grade 12 at around age eighteen.
Is RIS Swiss Section recognised by Switzerland and Germany?
Yes. RIS Swiss Section is recognised as an official school abroad by both Switzerland and Germany and is subsidised by both governments, which is reflected in its qualifications and its fees.
Where is RIS Swiss Section located?
RIS Swiss Section is on Soi Ramkhamhaeng 184 in the Min Buri district of eastern Bangkok, sharing a campus setting with Ruamrudee International School, and is reached mainly by car or school bus.
