The wonders of semantics...
Bottom line is that I paid in advance a fee of US $200 in a Cashiers Check from my bank with my application for a Non Immigrant O-A Multi-entry Visa to the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles.

The O-A visas for retirement are offered outside Thailand from your home country Thai Consulates and Embassy. Not available from Honorary Consuls.

With all the pending and announced changes Inside Thailand from Thai Immigration, IMHO getting the O-A so called retirement visa in your home country is the way to go.