From this year I will be spending several months at a time in Thailand and in 2 years will be moving there to live full-time.

It really doesn't matter I what type of Visa I get the first trip and I may in fact just get a tourist visa. The second trip however I need to have a Non-Imm visa so that I can start gearing up to a semi-retirement there. (getting a place to stay and a motorcycle etc.)

I have been to Thailand a few times in the past and love it enough to drop out here and at 38 I am financially solvent.

I plan on depositing about 4,300,000 bht when I arrive.

As I a student finishing a MA in teaching English as a Foriegn Language it begs some questions

What visa should I get?

Which bank should I use? Farmers/Siam Commercial etc..

Should I deposit less to begin and will my apartments value count as funds in country?

Cheers

M

Count for what? The only money that would have any meaning for visa use without employment/marriage or other such thing would be investment of 3 million in a condo or a Government type savings account (which must remain on deposit).