If you’re filling in COE (and embassy is accepting it ) you’ll need to fill in as per current rules ie 100k covid and 7 nights hotel. Option is to wait until thai pass is available or come in on COE and then get refund based on the new rules
You’re flying from India, it’s not a safe country (their definition not mine), you will do 7 nights sandbox (assume india is on permitted list for this), as of now only initial sandbox is Phuket or Samui. Is this going to change Nov 1 ? I don’t think so but maybe you’re right
You don’t need confirmed flights for visa normally but no idea about applying in India or what nationality you are. If you’re flying from India you will need mandatory hotel quarantine if not fully vaccinated and India is not one of the 46 designated “safe countries”