Advice needed – Family of 3 relocating to Bangkok from Singapore (schools, housing, cost of living, healthcare)

We’re a family of three (my wife, 5-year-old son and I), currently based in Singapore and potentially moving to Bangkok around June/July this year.

The move is work-driven and visa formalities are already taken care of. I work fully remotely, so I’m not tied to any particular part of the city. For us, overall quality of life is more important than being ultra-central.

My wife enjoys socialising and would value access to cafés, community spaces, yoga studios and gyms. I prefer greenery (parks), a proper gym with decent weights (doesn’t need to be fancy), and a family-friendly environment. We also enjoy eating out once or twice a week, so being within a reasonable distance of good dining options would be great.

I travel fairly frequently (4+ times a month), so reasonable access to Suvarnabhumi is important — but daily family life, schooling, healthcare, safety and community matter more.

I’d really appreciate insights from families already living in Bangkok, especially those with young children.

Schooling
We’re looking at international schools, or strong bilingual/international programmes. Ideally we’d like to stay under roughly USD 2k per month per child — how realistic is that in Bangkok?

How competitive are admissions?
Any schools you would recommend (or avoid)?

Our son is finishing kindergarten, so we’re considering either placing him in kindergarten for a few months before starting primary, or moving him directly into primary depending on the school calendar.

Healthcare
How strong is private healthcare in Bangkok for ongoing health management, not just emergencies? One of us requires regular specialist care.

Are English-speaking specialists easy to access?
(Insurance is comprehensive, so cost isn’t the main concern — quality and accessibility are.)

Housing & Areas
We’re open to either a condo or a house/compound. Ideally we’re looking for:

• 3–4 bedrooms
• Around 2000 sqft / 185 sqm or more
• Safe and family-friendly
• Not in the middle of chaos — something more laid-back
• Good facilities (pool, security, gym, kids’ play areas)
• Clean surroundings
• Close enough to good schools
• Reasonable access to Suvarnabhumi
• Some sense of community / communal living

Which areas would you recommend for a young family? And what rental budget should we realistically expect for something like this?

Domestic Help
In Singapore, we’ve always had a live-in helper supporting with childcare, cooking and household management. I understand this may not be as common in Bangkok.

What are the typical alternatives?
Is live-in help possible, or is part-time more common?
What would realistic monthly costs look like?

Cost of Living
For families in a similar situation, what’s a realistic monthly spend (excluding school fees)?

Is having a car essential, or manageable using Grab / BTS / MRT?

Banking
Are there particular banks that expats tend to prefer?
Is opening a local bank account generally straightforward?

Any major surprises after moving that you wish you’d known earlier?

Really appreciate any feedback. Thanks so much