I want to take an ESL course of 4 weeks duration in BKK and thereafter seek a job as an ESL teacher. I have a U.S. Passport. My question is: Can one obtain the necessary visa and work permit in Thailand after arriving with the 30 day tourist stamp? And it's a Non-Imm Class B I will need? Lots of the info on the visa types is confusing and often different advise is given as to where best (USA or in TH) to obtain the required visa for teaching ESL. I am in a very remote area of the USA and not anywhere close to a Thai Consul.

You guys are experienced and so I put this out to you here.

Thanks for your advise

M.Stanley

If you have degree to qualify for employment teaching it should not be much trouble obtaining a non immigrant B visa after you find employment. A trip to Penang is the normal route I believe. The 30 day entry can not be changed inside Thailand and requires onward confirmed travel within those 30 days (airlines check this often) so would highly advise a tourist visa at least. With that you can probably change at immigration for a cost of 2,000 baht. You can mail your passport to a Consulate to obtain a visa, or use a travel office (higher price).