I hope somebody can eliminate or at least reduce my confusion.

I am American, here on a retirement visa, and wish to begin work for a company forming in the United States. The work would be performed in Thailand by myself and possibly a local Thai employee or two. It would be easiest for me to just have all three of us be employees for the American company, it that is possible. The key of course, it my being able to qualify for a proper visa and work permit. I am prepared to set up a Thai company and hire a total of four Thai employees, but that is an awful lot of hassle on top of the basic hassle of getting a visa and work permit.

We will engage in R&D; we will not export anything except information.

Do I need to form a company in order to work here?

Thank you in advance for any thoughtful advice.

yes you do, being an american you can setup a treaty of amity company in wich you'll own 100% of the shares, restrictions do apply regarding land trading and buying.

yes you do, being an american you can setup a treaty of amity company in wich you'll own 100% of the shares, restrictions do apply regarding land trading and buying.

Yes agreed you need to start up a company to be fully legal

A rep office might work, but I don't think a rep office is allowed to generate income?

The Thai persons could set-up their own company which your US-based company could hire as contractors -- then of course any work that you might perform could be done in the USA or otherwise ex-Thailand.

Thank you all for your comments. They are really helpful.