I've been in the US for a week, and my first mission of getting a long-term Thailand visa is accomplished. I now have a one-year, non-immigrant visa which is issued to me as a person interested in investing or starting a business in Thailand. Since I hope to incorporate Speak Up as a business or foundation in Thailand in early 2010, I meet the qualifications and am set to go. This new visa requires me to leave the country every 90 days, which won't be a problem since I hope to be traveling to Korea and other countries for some fund-raising and PR next year, but now I won't be a on a tourist visa and will be legally working towards my Speak Up business investment in Thailand. Great news!
I leave for Thailand tomorrow morning, and hope today to make some more good business contacts and raise some money for our work internationally. Some people have asked me how my trip to Thailand was, and I tell them that this time in America is my trip - Thailand is now my home base. It might take a while for it to feel completely like home, but I'm glad to be there and working towards my dream. Today I hope to inspire some others to invest in making that dream come to life. TROY