What should I prepare for before moving to Thailand to study Thai on a GI Bill?

Jan 25, 2025
2 days ago
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey , so around the summer of 2027 I’m going to be leaving out the army (not retirement) I’ll be 28 and my plan is to use my gi bill to go to college full time learning Thai for 4 years. Any advice of work from home jobs certifications or savings amount and anything else that is recommended to make the move easier that I should do before I move there. I have 2 years to prep.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user plans to transition from military service to studying in Thailand using the GI Bill, seeking advice on work-from-home jobs, certifications, savings, and preparation for the move. Key recommendations include researching Thai universities that accept the GI Bill, budget management, finding remote work opportunities, and considering teaching English as a potential job path. It’s encouraged to decide on educational pathways, such as Thai language or communication studies, to facilitate visa acquisition. Being cautious about fake language schools and budgeting for living expenses (ideally $1500-2000/month) is also emphasized.
Bankie *************
Do your va disability
Travis *******
You can live well on $1500-2000/mo for a single person. My family of 4 (soon to be 5) is spending around $6000/mo and we live pretty much unrestricted, 200sqm condo in the center of BKK.

If DTV is still around that maybe a better bet of you find remote work before you come. Just have to keep an eye on the programs between now and then. It took us about 8 months to get all moved over, and it's been WELL worth it. Keep your eye on the prize and good luck!
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Travis ******
thank you so much for
Jonathan ********
Theres plenty of colleges around here and several that the gi bill will support with a stipend of around 2k. That would be enough by itself if you kept a small budget. Or rent a room on campus they're only 1k baht (30ish usd) and they're similar to barracks sized rooms. If you did Thai language and cultural studies and in your free time take the exams for your tefl/teslo(I'm sure I spelled those wrong) you can teach English online during your off time and once you finish your degree in Thai studies you can easily find a job teaching English pretty much anywhere. Or continue to teach online and apply for the dtv, with your degree as a backup if you want to teach at a school and use a work visa. Also if you budget small for the time spent you should be able to afford a thai elite visa. That'd gi e you 3 options to stay in Thailand,a cert to teach online so you can travel anywhere, and a degree to apply for a job in Thailand itself.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonathan *******
glad someone else is thinking like me because you basically just explained my plan thank you for this 🙌🏽
Eric ********
There is something called WEAMS. It's on the VA website. They show overseas schools that accept the GI Bill. You can also search on the top right section called "GI comparison tool" They show things like how many students are going there, if the school has any complaints, etc. I couldn't find any schools in Thailand that you can use your GI Bill while learning Thai. I also checked different countries for Spanish. So far nothing. If you find anything let me know. Here is the WEAMS section.
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Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *******
this is a screenshot of what I found and currently 12 people have been reported to attend using va in the past year so this is what I’m basing my info off of and the school I’m planning to attend for bachelor’s of communications
Eric ********
@Brandon ************
Do you have a point of contact with someone in that school?
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *******
the website has a representative to speak to
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cory **********
@Brandon ************
make sure to research the other schools as well. I live next to Payap however with Chiang mai burning season for the 4th time I want to move far away.
Michael ***********
Yeah, get 20 and get your benefits. You are leaving $$ on the table
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael **********
if it all doesn’t work out joining again is an option. But as of now I have decided to not let half of my life be the army.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Exactly lol
Michael ***********
@Brandon ************
Yeah, it's a lot of "yes sir, no sir". Understood
Joe **********
2 Years is a long ways away in Terms of Thai Policies which in recent Years change like the Weather. Seems you are set. Best advice I could give you is to use a Reputable School House. There 1000s Fake/Scam Language Schools just so you can stay in Thailand Longterm !
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe *********
true but I doubt mine will be one of those cases since they have a partership and have to report to the va to keep my funding for the school which will also fund my life in Thailand lol
Steve *********
Thank you for your service 🙏
Randy ******
@Steve ********
Did you join?
Steve *********
@Randy *****
turned 18, mandatory service
Steve *********
@Randy *****
my family moved to Israel, when I was young. I served in the IDF, for several years. I have nothing but respect for anyone who serves. Even for police, fire fighters, medics, etc...
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ********
thank you for yours as well all contributions count 🙌🏽
Eric ********
@Steve ********
Thank you for your service as well.
Steve *********
@Eric *******
thank you
John *******
Go to a Thai University and sign up for a masters degree. Cheap, I know. They will take care of your education visa. Look into English major problems. Let me know if you need contacts. I was a lecturer/teacher at a government Uni near Rangsit.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I will definitely keep in contact. I plan to learn Thai bachelors of communications for 4 years at a university so I’m kinda still making my decision on that or going for an English major but Thai will help me more I believe in the long run especially since I want to live there long term.
Cory **********
Definitely pull up all the Thai universities that take the gi bill on the VA website. You have some options. Probably around 12 universities if I remember correctly. Look up the type of four year degrees they offer. I don’t know if they have a four year Thai degree but perhaps communication type degree. The school you pick will help you with getting your visa.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cory *********
thank you so much for this
Joe **********
Don’t !
Joe **********
It sounds Romantic and Cool. But it will get old FAST !
Jay ******
How many years did you serve so far? You said you are 28 did you enlist at 18? If you already at 10 years just finish the remaining 10 and you don’t got to worry

About money anymore.
Milas ********
The retirement pensions haven't really been keeping up with inflation recently. Getting out at 10 is a good move depending on what skills and certs have been earned. Private sector pays well, it's possible to save like crazy for 3-5 yrs, quit and move to Thailand.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jay *****
true but I’ve seen so many people my age or younger living their life free and traveling doing things I have the same skills to do so why shouldn’t I do the same while I’m young? If I do 20 I’ll be 40 and I’m not living the same life as I would at 28.
Jay ******
@Brandon ************
40 is definitely young still. Just do the 20. Waking up everyday not having to be worried to make income is amazing.
Sasi ************
Thai language courses are not that long and yes you would required to be fluent before you can taking courses/going to a university. The prestigious Universities like Julalongkorn , Thummasat offering international courses which would qualified you for the visa.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
Bachelors of Arts at university Thai communication for foreigners 4 years, I’ve done my research thanks for the advice🙌🏽
Bob **********
Look at being a digital nomad with your customers outside of Thailand
John **********
Did you gain any commercial skills in the army?
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
digital marketing and IT but my first priority is using my gi bill for university which will only allow me to live there if I’m doing in person classes full time.
Mouad *************
E-commerce
Robert **********
You will be fighting the Chinese or the Russians before then.
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
doubt I’d see you there by the time I arrive
George’s **********************
good to be young ha
Marky *******
Ask again in 2 years
Brandon *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marky ******
I hope you’re still here to see the process
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