@Kevin ************
, OP wouldn't apply for METV at all. He will apply for Non-O retirement in his country before he flies to Thailand, and enters on Non-O to be stamped for 90 days. He is planning to apply for a 1-year extension at the end of the 90-day entry stamp.
After into about three months on his 1-year extension based on retirement, he gets a re-entry permit to fly back to his country while keeping his 1-year extension valid.