correct, and in that case the money is always put into account within Thailand and it doesn't need to be marked FTT. At least my deposits never came from abroad.
Sorry, since the "initial Visa" is usually applied for in your home country, i can't really believe that. In my understanding ONLY the income method needs to be marked FTT in your bank book.
1st year you need the 800k. If you have all the 12 month an income from abroad into your Thai bank account of minimum 65k THB, you can use that from 2nd year onwards.
Every Bank branch can give you a statement for the last 6 months. Statements for 12 months they have to order from Bangkok Headquarters. However, many branches will refuse any service and gonna tell you to visit your home branch.
Border bounce with some agency in minivan is a kind of suizid. I recommend a flight to Phnom Penh, Vientiane or any other City in the neighborhood. That's not much more expensive and definitely not wasted money.
you leave only once. After first 60 days you go to your local immigration and there you get a 30 day extension. After that 90 days you do a border bounce or visit a neighbour country for a couple of days. Returning you get another 60 days and again a 30 day extension at local immigration.