So if you knew you wanted to stay in Thailand for a year, at least, and you are considering possibly teaching English there, then is it best to just get a tourist visa for 60 days instead of the "retirement" visa for one year?

I will follow all this advice to the T. I have one other question. If I get there on this retirement visa for a year. And if I decide I want to start teaching English there, is there a way to change that visa and get a work visa with a school there? Or should I not get a retirement visa but a tourist visa first? I only ask this because although I did sell my house I didn't get more than 160,000 usd for it and don't want to spend it all.

I've never had health insurance if anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it. Somehow always been healthy

Thanks James, this alleviated my worrying about things.

Thanks Robert I will do that, unfortunately the Miami consulate can't do the long term visas which stinks

Evidence of accomodation requirement, but my plan was to jump around to different hostels as I photograph many areas.

Mainly this: as I have not wanted to book in advance a years worth of hostel stays. This from the Thai embassy in NY. Three copies of evidence of accommodation for your stay in