Wells eyes B1 billion IPO to expand to Chiang Mai, Phuket
Wells eyes B1 billion IPO to expand to Chiang Mai, Phuket — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
Wells International School plans to raise B1 billion through an IPO and expand to Chiang Mai and Phuket, with Phuket identified as one of its two main provincial targets, chairman Dr. Chang Yao-Lang said. The school expects to file its stock market application in the third quarter of 2026 after completing 80-90% of its IPO preparations, with listing projected for the first quarter of 2027 or no later than the second quarter.
The fundraising will support four priorities: infrastructure upgrades across all four campuses, scholarships for high-performing students, a retirement provident fund for teachers, and social enterprise work tied to education and community support.
Chiang Mai and Phuket picked under three-location test
Dr. Chang said Chiang Mai and Phuket were selected using three criteria: local population, the number of long-stay foreign residents, and income levels. He said both provinces met all three conditions, with Phuket standing out for its large long-term foreign population.
Rangsit is also under review because of its large housing estates, which align with the school’s target income bracket.
Expansion could take the form of a newly built campus or an acquisition of an existing school, depending on the area. Dr. Chang said the direction would become clearer after the IPO, when funding and management resources are in place.
Chonburi campus expands as tuition ranges from B246,000 to B546,000
Wells currently operates four campuses in Thonglor, On Nut, Bang Na and Chonburi, with more than 1,000 students from over 24 nationalities. Its On Nut campus has about 480 students, more than 70% of them foreign, representing over 27 nationalities including Japanese, Indian, Korean, Taiwanese and European students.
Tuition fees run from B246,000 to B546,000 per student per year for grades N-12, plus a one-time campus development fee of B70,000 to B220,000. Dr. Chang said the school has no debt.
The Chonburi campus, opened in 2022 on 23 rai, has received more than B15 million in further investment for three tennis courts, an outdoor nature center, AR/VR classrooms and Thai cultural elements. It will expand to Grade 11 in the 2026 academic year and aims to increase new student enrollment by 15%.
Source: https://www.prachachat.net/sd-plus/news-2001625
