How does the timeline and requirements for a retirement non-immigrant OA visa work in Thailand?

Hi Visa Experts, I have three questions... since I just came off a US obtained 60 day tourist visa single entry....it required airline tickets to and from Thailand. Question: it seems airline tickets purchased is not the case for retirement one year non immigrant OA visa that I will obtain from Chicago Consulate...if that is the case does the one year clock start when I enter Thailand and I can use it anytime within the next x days? (60day tourist visa required me to use it within 90 days of obtaining it) Question 2: I hear many talk about the 1 year can be extended easily to two year??? What special timing and exercise would i need to pull off to make that extend for another full year? What I understand is the initial one year only requires 800K equivalent baht in any financial institution (even US based) Question 3: will the 1 year extension require me to have to demonstrate monthly cash flow income levels in a thai bank or can that wait until after the 2 year point?