It's virtually impossible to open a bank account in Thailand without a long term visa, so it's a much better idea to get the non O visa before coming to Thailand. It also means you don't need an onward flight and you need one visit less to the immigration office.
that's what I did too. Opening a bank account seems to be very difficult currently, so good luck with that, but you seem very organised and intelligent, so I am sure you will manage it.
Difficult one to answer this Mark, you seem to know what you are doing already. I would get a short term rental for a month to start, then when you have opened your bank account look at getting a 1 year lease, ready for your 12 month extension application. If you already have a non O and bank account with the funds, there should be no reason for your application to be rejected.
If you can do the 90 day report online before the move to Hua Hin I would. Getting the yellow book took ages for me personally and caused me some stress. Before anyone says it, I know lots of people seem to get the yellow book with one visit to the Amphur and very little documentation, but for me it involved; the UK Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translations as well as 3 or 4 trips to the Amphur. I have possibly upset someone at the Amphur by dressing smart and being politeš¤·