I am coming in from Thailand in a week. Should I just come in as a tourist, or should I apply for a visa?
What are the pros/cons of either, and which would help me to stay/be legal or whatever in the near future. I plan to stay and make a home here.

Thx

Well the visas don’t work like they do in Thailand. You should probably read up on them a bit more and it will become clear. There is no visa that you can apply for at the border (that I know of).

other visas

work visas