One significant difference struck me forcefully when I returned to live here permanently in the 90s. In the 70s, when I was first here, very few Westerners spoke Thai. Now, many do. This is significant.
Some companies sponsor employees.
But if you must learn the language at your own expense, then AUA is hard to beat. The idea is to get you really used to the tones and familiar with them. The teachers act out scenes in front of you. No, but the language is going into your brain without your knowing it. And it's good, educated Thai as well.