If I had to guess...I think it’s an attempt to excavate more old single people out of Thailand. You would be surprised how many are living pension deposit to pension deposit and wouldn’t/couldn’t meet that requirement.
Joe I think you are screwed if you cannot extend they way you are in the country right now. It won’t even be a matter of if the other land borders open. You hit the nail on the head with the biggest issue, I seriously don’t think they are going to accept tourists any time soon. Of course, I don’t know anything and am guessing but if I had to bet my money is on not opening up to anything other than the categories recently announced for a while.
Short answer is AirBnB style daily rental is illegal in Thailand. However, just like many other things it’s simply overlooked.
We just bought a condo last month in Jomtien. During the process I asked the Juristic office if AirBnB is allowed. I asked because I don’t want to live in a hotel style building. I want a building that discourages this behavior. They basically proceeded to tell me how to rent it daily style and avoid trouble.
I was in the same boat and was told we do not fall into the amnesty. I went ahead and extended. Was a breeze because no one is at immigration now. But that was in Ubon. Your local immigration office may say something different 😁