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Just got my Non-Imm O-A Multi Entry Visa from the Los Angeles Consulate.  I submitted my Visa application packet(with the three notarized documents) at 0900 on a Thursday.  I came back on Friday at 1030 and I got my passport back with the Visa.  It was a very smooth process and the people at this consulate were great.  All of my concerns about obtaining this Visa were unwarranted.  

The Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles still provides great customer service.  I arrived on a Thursday at 0900.   The Visa window consul staff member accepted my application packet and gave me a receipt.  I returned on Friday at 1030 and I got my passport with my new Non-Immigrant O-A Multiple Entry Visa.  The hardest part of the entire process wast the two hour drive in the worst Los Angeles traffic I witnessed in over 40 years of living in California.  

If you are going to complete the Visa Medical in the LA Area I would recommend:  http://wellnessmart.com/.

They have locations in LA and Orange Counties;  No appointment needed.

I did my O-A Medical there and it was easy and the total cost was $265.  This included the following:

Exam

Blood Test

Urine Drug Screen

Chest X-ray(I cannot use the TB Skin test and it would be even cheaper if one only needs the TB Skin Test)

I got the complete results with Doctor's signature in 3 days.

Air Asia cleared for flights to USA:  http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/24/news/airasia-us-flights-low-cost-budget-airline/index.html

I don't know if this is good news or not.  I guess this can be the longest Border Run alternative on record?  I have never flown Air Asia but will try them soon.  I can just imagine KL to LAX:  Purchases food and drinks and pay for Entertainment on a 15 hour flight? 

Which of the two seals would be acceptable?  These are from the American Society of Notaries website.  The last time I checked it was $10 per page.  

One more thing.  I am a retired police officer and we never notarized any documents.  If verification was needed our records phone number was clearly printed on any document we generated(this included all background checks).  I have never heard of any doctor's or medical clinic with an onsite notary.  However some bank employees are commissioned notaries.  I personally know of several people who have obtained Multi Entry O-A Visa's from the LA Consulate and none of their documents were notarized.  I guess I will find out for myself in a couple months.  

In terms of notarize a document this is false.  A Notary is actually certifying the person who is  signing the document.  I was a Notary in California for several years.  In the US a Notary is commissioned by the state and the commission is good for 4 years.  A Notary cannot certify any document as being authentic.  If you bring a completed document to any notary the best he can do is to attach a second page with his seal on it.  During the process of Notarizing the Notary verifies the identity of signer, obtains his thumb print, observes the signing and then  makes an entry into his Notary book along with the singer of the document.  If these steps are not followed then the entire process is invalid.  Therefore, one would have to hire a notary and bring him to the doctor's office, the police department, and the bank in order to comply with these requirement.  In my case I would have to bring the Notary to my pension board office (which is only 400 miles away) and have my retirement income document notarized in person.  If this is the case then I would give up on the notion of obtaining aThai retirement visa.  

Thank you for the replies.  The replies have completely clarified things for me.  The key distinction is Single Entry versus Multi-Entry.

If this question has been covered  previously then I apologize for asking and could someone direct me to the previous post.  If not could someone clarify these statements which I found on the Los Angeles Thai Consulate website:  

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA ( Maximum stay 90 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand )

I was under the belief if I am granted a one year Non-Immigrant Visa for the purposes of retirement I would be granted a 1 year stay and I am only required to report to Immigration every 90 days.  These statements seem to imply that a Border Run might be need even with a Long Term Visa.  I am now somewhat confused.   

The Thai Consulate in Los Angeles will issue a O-A (Retirement Visa) if you meet the requirements and complete the paperwork.  The fee is $200 USD(this will get me a Mutl-Entry Visa).  Thanks for all who have responded your comments are appreciated. 

This question is to any member who is on a Retirement Visa.  In a few months I will apply for a retirement Visa at my local Thai Consulate.  I meet all the qualifications and believe this is the best route for me.  But I have heard from others it is better to arrive in Thailand on a Tourist Visa and then apply for the Retirement Visa.  Any thoughts on the two ways of obtaining a Retirement Visa?  The local consulate seems very straightforward on the entire Visa process.