I have read many helpful posts and appreciate learning from the experiences others. Here is my situation that I'm having trouble nailing down the details on:

I bought into a Thai company and am now the director. I would like to end my employment with my current Thai employer and get a work permit through the company I am a shareholder and director of. I plan to hire the 4 required employees 1st of the month. My current work permit expires mid-Sept and my non-B visa expires at the end of Sept.

When I came to Thailand the 1st time the 4 employees had to be on the payroll for 3 months prior to my applying. Will this apply in my current situation as I'm just initiating the business startup? Also I will be leaving the country 1st part of August returning 1st part of Sept. Would it be best to cancel my current work permit and visa and start from scratch with the Thai Consulate in the U.S. or smoother to return under my current status and transfer things when I get back? My farang wife and kids have already departed Thailand for summer break, we plan to return together.

Thanks to all that have some advice to share!

A lot depends upon when your current job ends.

I think you currently have an extension of stay based upon working not a valid non-b visa. You will need a termination letter from current employer to cancel your extension. You will also need to cancel your work permit.

I don'r recall a requirement for you employees to be working for the 3 months. If it was a startup business their is a little more leeway on what is needed to apply for the work permit.

It seems with your current situation it would be best to get a single entry non-b and then apply for the extension after you after you get your work permit. You might have to get a multiple entry non-b visa for the first year since you may not have a year worth of tax payments for the company that is required for the extension.

What you need to apply for the non-b visa will depend upon where you apply. You may need a receipt for a work permit application to get it.

I assume your family had extensions as your dependents while they were here. If they currently have re-entry permits it may cause problems when they return if they enter on them.

They would need to get single entry non-o visas to apply for new extensions once you get your new extension of stay.

You certainly may need legal assistance to get all the documentation sorted out.