You may. A) because that is how all multiple entry visa work in Thailand. And B) The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it explicitly that is works like that.
I hear you and agree on most of it. And I feel for the locals whose needs need to be addressed and interests procreated. But I don’t feel for the hordes of retirees, a group that always had it much easier than folks under 50 to stay in Thailand.
I party agree on that. If the DTV becomes as popular as it could be, then there would certainly be more competition in terms of resources like accomodation etc. I am not a big fan of overtourism. But I would hope that longter term visitors would be having less negative effects than other groups of tourists.
The Thai eVisa website has issues right now - try again tomorrow. There is a section on the website that lets you check: "Am I eligible to apply online?". Either yes, then proceed applying for a visa online, or no, then proceed applying for a visa directly with your closest Thai consulate in person.
Yup. Gotta extend your LTR for that other 5 years before the first stamp expires. And that extension for another 5 years can and will only happen in Thailand (even only in Bangkok). One of the things I found annoying with the LTR.