Retirement visa/US citizen

Hello All, I am new… please be kind with my ignorance. I am an American planning to retire in Thailand. I am confused by the different websites regarding retirement visas. I found a Thai Embassy page which seems to indicate I can obtain a 1 year Non-Immigrant “O-A” Retirement visa from within the US before I leave for Thailand. Copy from website:
Purpose of Visit: This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Eligibility:
1. Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application)
2. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2fifty-two2 (19seventy-nine)
3. Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence
4. Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted
5. Not having prohibitive diseases ( Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 25thirty-five
Validity of a visa: multiple entries
***A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance***
Required Documents: (Required2 sets; 1 original and1 copy)
1. Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document mustbe valid for at least18 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
2. Visa application form completely filled out (black and blue ink only) (Download)
3. Addition Application form (Download)
4. Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14(B.E. 25thirty-five) certificate shall be valid for not more than three months (Download)
5. Two photo’s passport-size photographs (2″x2″) (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
6. Bank statement or evidence of adequate finance showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800K Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 650000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800K Baht In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required
7. Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )
Processing time : (with completed documents)
In person 5 business days
By mail minimum 15 business days
***We do not offer expedited service***
Visa Processing Fees: $200 USD per application.
Payable in money order (only) made payable to “Royal Thai Embassy”.
NO CASH, PERSONAL and BUSINESS CHECKS ACCEPTED
*** The fee is not refundable in any cases***
­Submitting application:
1.In person
between 9am.-12pm. , no appointment needed
Consular Office
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Rd., N.W.
Washington,D.C 20008-1sixty-two3
2. By mail…. etc.
I am over 50, have a “clear” FBI criminal record check document in hand, “clear” medical certificate from my doctor, and bank statements of way over 800K Baht X years (in US bank – I am not able to open a Thai account because I am not there yet). The Los Angeles Thai Embassy webpage states if you have a plane ticket, you can drop off your passport and documents in person one day, and pick up your passport with visa the next day (equal to a processing time of approximately 24 hours). I plan to drive to LA next week.
Does anyone know if this is true? As a US citizen, is it possible to obtain a 1 year retirement visa BEFORE entering Thailand? Anything else I need to know?
Thank you for your help.