@Doug ********

perhaps mate. I’m not a Yank 😉

@Oliver ********

personally I don’t feel that way. I love, and have served, my country. In some things, UK beats Thailand hands-down, in others it doesn’t. I find ‘UK-born UK-haters’ as disagreeable as those who whinge about Thailand. I like both equally, and for different reasons.

Fair post mate. There’s good and bad everywhere. Keep your wits about you, enjoy the good stuff, be aware of the risks, that’s it. I started work here in 2010 and it feels just as much home as my own country, in some ways more so. I don’t look at Thailand through rose-coloured glasses, neither do I view it as a negative place. It’s what you make it. For me, it’s home 😊

I note the comments re: marriage or retirement options. As a US National, I believe you also have the option of setting up a company with 100% ownership and associated visa. Just another route

Hua Hin….. and a little further south (quick drive) is Pranburi and Sam Roi Yod

I did one in HCMC a few years ago when the company screwed up. From memory, it only took a day or two (or maybe was same day, can’t quite remember). Someone posted that you had to be VN resident. That certainly wasn’t true when I did it. I’d suggest that you head to the embassy this morning with ALL your docs and try them. If not, as someone else said, enter TH on visa exempt and then just extend in-country

@Todd ********

As is the IDC! …. just saying 😊

One things that’s not been mentioned in the thread yet is to set up a ‘Branch Office of a Foreign Company’. Also, you could consider Ltd Company incorporation in Thailand, possibly linked with your UK company. Setting up a Thai company is easy. I’d suggest 100% Thai ownership (as long as the company is asset-light, to remove risk!) with which you could get a Work Permit. There are conditions on both of those options. Suggest you research on Siam Legal website.

@Jamie *******

agree. I’m not a teacher, but have worked in industry in Thailand for more than 10 years. Too many people on here giving ‘advice’, but never actually worked in Thailand!!

The logical course of action is to take everything you have to a lawyer. You dabbled in business with no knowledge and didn’t separate friendship from business dealings. Don’t make the same mistake again mate. Take it to someone who does have knowledge, and is qualified to act and advise. Likely that’s not on this forum. Many people willing to offer advice from their point of view or personal experience. Whilst that’s helpful, you need to seek (paid) professional advice. I’ve always used Siam Legal in BKK. Probably not the cheapest, but they have always been extremely helpful to me. Good luck!