no, but most will opt to ask for proof of onwards travel/a return flight that is within the either 15 days (VOA) or 60 days (exemption) if you don't have a visa instead as they will need to foot the bill on a return flight if you are denied entry and don't have onwards travel.
Most airlines will not allow you to board without a legitimate visa unless you have a valid return ticket or onward travel to another country within the 15-day (VoA) or 60-day exemption because they must foot the bill to send you back if you are denied entry.
If the airline will allow them to travel without a return ticket or onward travel ticket, there is very little chance they will encounter problems with immigration. Hence, I stated that they need to contact their airline.
The majority of airlines will ask to see a visa or onward travel within a specified timeframe, especially when it comes to VoA & Visa Exempt because if a person or people are denied entry and do not have a ticket out of Thailand they have to foot the bill.
For work you will require a degree, without one you won't meet the requirements for any type of job. And the lost of requirements you and your employer must meet is quite long for a non-b and/or work permit.
As for visa options, you have non-O/OA retirement, DTV, Non-O marriage (when you're actually married), LTR, Elite Visa, I mean heck you could even get an ED-Visa of you really wanted...
Stating which one is best for you is impossible with the information you gave, it all entirely depends on your circumstances. And all of them have upsides and downsides, if you want more accurate information, you'll need to give us more information.