Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa inside Thailand for retirement?

The original poster is inquiring about applying for a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand to begin the process of obtaining a retirement visa. Several responders clarify that typically, one cannot apply for this visa inside Thailand without having a Thai bank account. Most advise that the best course of action is to exit to a neighboring country, obtain the visa there, and then return to complete the necessary paperwork and open a bank account. The conversation reveals various personal experiences and opinions, emphasizing the difficulties of applying for the visa from within Thailand due to bank account limitations and financial requirements.