I'm pretty sure the 90 day reporting is still a requirement with immigration as the LTR is still a Non Immigrant visa. You mightn't personally have to do it but still a requirement.
Re-enter permits last the life of the visa extension period unless used beforehand. You'll need to start your extension process as soon as you return as well.
I have been informed by my insurance company that as of October 2022 insurance must have a minimum cover of 3.3 million baht up from a minimum of 400k. An 8 fold increase. The insurance company informed me that my premium as a 70 year old will triple in price. This is only a requirement for the O-A extension of stay. As the OP was told by immigration. Leave the country without re-entry permit and return on a 30 day then extend before applying for a new visa that is Not O-A. O extension of stay requires no insurance at present so best to go for that. 800k baht or 65k/month is still required as per O-A.
You say he's flying to Thailand in a couple of days. Has he applied for the Thailand Pass and been given the OK. If he hasn't got the Thailand Pass QR code he won't be flying to Thailand
Quick question regarding 1 years statements, in your experience, if I download statements every month & print out will that be accepted by immigration officers. I use the IO in Korat. Thanks
Why don't you just fill out the form that was given to you. That's what I did even though it looks cruddy it was accepted when I did my extension of stay at the Korat office 3 weeks ago