There’s no shortcut education, because there are many possible routes, and road maps are often changed.
Currently there are three distinct options. In your home country, you can apply for an OA retirement visa. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, but it’s good for two years. Then you start over again.
If you’re rich, you can apply for an elite visa. It’s a lot more expensive, but much less paperwork, and good for five years.
The easier path for most is to come to Thailand on a tourist visa or waiver, and then start the process of applying for a non-O visa. It can be extended year-by-year, indefinitely.
The requirements for each type of visa can be found on the government website.
If you have an extension based on a non-O visa, you will need documentation from your bank of a full year of deposits. This is a bit of a change in the procedure. I just found out about it two days ago.