Welcome in the club, somehow some people think that discussion is not allowed, advice should be only what they want to hear and Immigration should adjust the law in Thailand on demands on the fist of a few idiots.
It is a shame such people do walk around without a leash and are free to use Social Media.
Take care, they are only though bullies using a keyboard/
As you have to show the tickets and the reasons of multiple visits, you can use the invitation letter for the same periods of time spending in Thailand.
It all depends IF your local Immigration Office is allowed to perform this conversion into a Non Immigrant O visa, if not if means travel and book hotels to stay near an Office which is allowed.
Most easy option is to provide the documents and get the visa before travel, not sure why you choose for retirement as you also have the option of being married with a Thai Citizen.
And based on marriage has less financial requirements if you apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay.
You apply at your local Immigration Office, just go there and ask the hand out with requirements. Copy them and tick the list, when done visit again to apply.
Not an IT expert, but could it be that user name and password are saved in your browser and automaticly filled in. Try to clear those savings and try again.