Hello all, thank you for taking the time to read this. I have been reading this forum for a while trying to get answers to my Q's, however the more I read the more confused I get.

I am looking at a method of staying in Thailand for about a year. I have previously had a single entry 90 day Tourist visa which is obviously insufficient. I have been going to Thailand quite a bit this year (VOA's, Tourist Visa from the Thai Consulate) with the intention of commencing a business, although I am still a way off from being convinced it will work. I have 'teamed' up with a Thai National who has been very helpful and has suggested that we run the operation on a shared basis, whatever that is! This business would be based in either Phang Na and/or Phuket (nothing related to bars etc).

I'm not sure whether to apply for a Non O Visa, an Ed Visa (I would like to learn Thai properly, can anyone recommend a decent Thai language school in Phuket?) or a Non B Visa. Until I sort out whether or not I can make the business work I'm a bit loathe to put 800k into a Thai Bank to try for either a Retirement or if I have read correctly a Non B visa. I am Australian if that matters, helps or hinders.

If more info is needed please ask.

TIA

To start with I suggest that you get a multiple entry non-o visa from a conulate in Australia if you do not want to get a 1 year extenson based upon retirement. You could later get an extension of it based upon work or going to school.

Since you have not made any formal arrangements for setting up a business you are not likely to get a B visa unless you can come up with a letter from a Thai company.

I can not help you with the school question. You might check the Phuket forum for that answer.