Frist thing is finding out what is the best visa for you, then come to see bkk and how everything works out with immigration and the schools in Thailand for the kids as its very expensive for a good school here, it's ok to asking people on here but I think that it's much better for you to come over and stay for a few months frist. As what you may find that you don't like the same place as some other people recommend
your best bet is to Google, but you can just walk into the bank and ask if you have any thai friends then please take them with you as its much easier for the thai bank to speak with your thai friends to help you
your best bet is to start looking for a bank that will help you with the account as its very difficult for you to open your account in Thailand with the 30 days holiday, but you can also use a visa agent to help you with the bank account it will cost you about 5000thb to
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thb for them to help you, but would recommend that you try your self first, go to Bangkok bank they are the best