What are the best options for obtaining a retirement visa for Thailand while living in Los Angeles?

I would say the best option would be to fly in on a 60 day free entry.

Then, get an agent (I can help you) to open a Thai Bank account and after that (including your deposit 💵 into said account), apply for a Retirement visa inside Thailand.🇹🇭

Get an agent- no worries or hassle- did mine on no time and drivers license too

i got my non o-a from the state and have been here since Sept 2023. here is what you need to do for Non OA visa.

the 800K Baht equivalent can be USD in your US bank account when applying - fund must be in account for i think at least 2 months before visa application - check the thai consulate web it should mentioned there.

the lease agreement for can be a proof of hotel booking.

you must buy medical insurance by approved provider - i bought from AXA the very basic plan for Non OA requirement - i believe its USD$200+ per year.

medical form signed by your doctor, criminal back ground check from CIA - you can do the life scan at some of the FedEx/UPS location - i got mine within the same day.

submit all the necessary to Thail consulate web, pay the fee and if approved the visa should be sent to you via email.

i bring all the doc with me when arriving BKK airport just in case the officer ask for it.

It is easier to open a bank account in Thailand if you get the Non-O before you travel

and at the embassy/consulate at home you just use your income or funds at home to qualify. You open a bank account in Thailand and bank the required 800K baht within a month and apply for your first year extension of stay after two months.

Apply online for a Non O retirement visa here;

You can apply for a 90 day Non O visa based on being 50 or above online with the Los Angeles Thai Embassy and once you arrive, extend the Non O for 12 months at Thai Immigrations OR enter visa exempt and convert to a 90 day Non O at Thai immigrations and then extend that visa for one full year. Both ways are not difficult and you can do either.

You don't need any of those things to apply for a visa from the Thai embassy.