bit of confusion here again to repeat some others if you obtain a Non O INSIDE THAILAND there is NO insurance requirement (of course you should get insurance anyway). Hope that's clear. There are 4 types of visas that people call retirement....OA O, O (in TH), X
Requirements are different I used to work for a guy had the smart visa best talk to the smart visa group at immigration they are excellent at responding
I was recommended to try to transit if by air to Chiang Mai if I wasn't prepared to go via a border crossing. I didn't have any ED visa myself. That's just to get in, beyond that you have to make arrangements for appropriate visa for long term stay.
you know it's sad when a poster makes negative remarks about others as you just did. Perhaps better to thank people for the responses that were useful and not act so sensitive about others who actually have a sense of humor, maybe???