What are the requirements and considerations for obtaining a Non Immigrant O-A visa as a retiree moving to Phuket?

First of all, thanks to all the dedicated administrators and active forum members for all your knowledge and insight.

I think I'm beginning to suffer from information overload as I prepare to move over to Phuket for two years (or more) come October.

I'm gathering the necessary docs to come over on a Non Immigrant O-A visa. I plan on mailing the docs from San Francisco to the L.A.Thai Consulate, but I have some nagging concerns as I prepare for the move.

1. I have a CA government pension that comfortably exceeds the 65000 baht monthly minimum. It is administered by CalPers and they directly deposit it into my Charles Schwab bank account. CalPers will provide a letter showing my monthly income benefit. Is it sufficient to get that notarized or should I also obtain documents from Schwab and have them notarized? And, do you then have each copy individually notarized or just one with the balance copied with the notary seal?

2. Is the best method to keep my money in the U.S. simply to return and reapply for another O-A visa near the end of two years? Otherwise I either have to season 800k baht in a Thai bank account two months prior to an in-country application or deposit a minimum of 65k baht per month for twelve months prior to said application. Do I have this right?

3. Finally, the City and County of San Francisco will provide a criminal records clearance letter free of charge showing no criminal history. But it's only for this county. It isn't statewide or nationwide. Is that adequate and does it also need to be notarized if it has the seal of SF County on it?

Thanks in advance for your help...and patience!

Sincerely,

Bill