ZFT: BS.
NG,
Visa Thailand: you're correct with education + guardian visa = 12mths renewable. 500k THB on bank deposit I think.
If over 50yrs [after the kids leave skool] can do retirement visa - same same but different! [800K THBish]
Go to thaivisa.com or teakdoor.com for better "qualified" answers than you can get here.
Dogs: some areas of Phuket are inhabited by Muslims, a few of whom may not take too kindly to your K9's...
A.P.A.E. : Rosters; maybe, then again, maybe not
Spleener