Considering living in Thailand

As a US citizen your business opportunities are slightly limited in LOS but as you have a Thai partner this need not be an issue.  You don't say how old you are - important since this can effect visa status.  Most long stay visas require you to exit Thailand every 3 months which can be a bind.

There is a wealth of information on my blog http://www.my-thai-friend.com and can I recommend you start reading Thai Visa as there is a host of information there.

Good Luck.

Thanks much.  I'll check out your blog.
I'm 39, by the way.  I heard there's a "retirement visa" offered at age 50.

My wife is qualified in Shiatsu.  We live in Chiang Mai.  The problem for expat massage therapists here is that it is a bit like selling snow to eskimos.  Almost every street here has a massage shop prices can be as low as approx 7 USD for an hour.  In the expensive spas it can go up to 30 USD or so.

I dont think resorts will pay you enough for massage to save for your retirement/travel around a lot.

That said working in TCM might be more lucrative.  We go to a clinic in town here and they are constantly fully booked for herbs/acupuncture consultations.  There are many 'wellness' spas here, maybe you could approach some of them and offer your services.  Obviously we are close to China and there are a lot of Chinese Thais but I think it might be better to use your English and sell your services to Farangs.

There is some good advice on retiring and living in Thailand at this website - Retire Thailand