If you are looking on the Canberra Embassy website everything you need is there, a full description of what you require in the visa tab and all the forms in the Download tab
If you are applying in Australia, you only need proof of funds does not need to be in Thailand.In Australia it is an O-A Multi-entry visa (Retirement).
no the time starts on the day you get stamped in at Immigration. The Visa sticker will have a valid to date on it, you have to enter Thailand prior to that date.
I can add one thing, no one at Samut Sakhon Immigration speaks English, if they do they don't own up to it, so if your Thai is not to good take a friend.