Can I apply for the Digital Nomad DTV from my home country while not physically present there?

You must apply via (and remain in until approval) the consulate for your current jurisdiction.

Where are you hearing that the DTV may be cancelled or requirements changed? The Christmas Elf's?

You can only apply using the Thai consulate where you are physically located. You can't pick and choose the consulate other than by travelling to the location of the consulate and then applying. You also have to remain in a location relevant to the consulate until the visa process completes

I’m also thinking to apply through the Thai embassy in DC even tho I will be in Malaysia because I have seen posts about Malaysia embassy is a bit difficult. All the visas are through online. How will they know where we are as long as we leave Thailand.

Your location is where you are physically present on application and they will ask proof that you are there and you should remain there until approval or refusal.

I did a search using the group search tool, keywords Hanoi seasoning, read the first result

You cannot apply via your home country’s Thai embassy if you are not physically present in that country. Thai embassies process applications based on current physical presence within their jurisdiction, not nationality or stated residence alone. If you are in Asia, you must apply through a Thai embassy or consulate in the country where you are actually located. Listing the US as your location while being in Hanoi or elsewhere would normally result in the application being rejected or cancelled. So in your case, you must leave Thailand and apply from a nearby country such as Vietnam or Laos, using the embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over where you are physically present at the time of application. There’s a general three months seasoning requirement for a DTV, som foreign missions require six months. The process in Hanoi is known to be quite straightforward.