I worked in Thailand from 1994 to 1997, during this time I married a Thai and since then we have had a daughter. I had the required Non-Immigrant visa and work permit at that time. Since then I have worked around thee world with my employer, and I am now just a few years away from retirement.

From all the correspondence I see in this and other forums it seems that it is imperative that I have a current Non-Immigrant visa renewed for at least the last three years to be able to apply for a residence.

I have the dependants, Wife and Daughter, I have the investment of at least 3 Million, but it seems that I must get my Employer to send me back to Thailand to work so that I can apply for this residence, is this correct.?

I can retire next year but more likely in 2011.

Can someone please help me with information.

Yes you must have remained in Thailand for at least three years on extensions of stay to make application. Do not believe anyone has been approved on retirement recently. There is a link to long topic in the pinned items at top of page where you can ask questions on PR and which has a lot of information:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=74654

But it's not compulsory for you to have Permanent Residence to remain in Thailand, you can get an O visa based on marriage.