in simple terms, your flight into Phuket must originate from another country. You cannot transit through BKK but you can transit through other countries.
We've done successful visa applications 3 times and never paid cash for biometrics at the Trendy building. It is always paid by card when booking it online, the only way to book it.
But all entering Thailand under the current criteria require insurance up to $100,000 'Covid-19' cover. That may change as the government opens up more obviously.
Obviously too difficult for you. The question is "Do I need to have an ASQ booked for my COE application or book once received ASQ. I have a flight provisionally booked"
It is simple, no you don't need the ASQ booked to apply, yes, you book it once approved.
It is NOT required for the application, neither is the CoE in hand, it is simply confirmed which allows for proceeding to fixing dates and the ASQ booking. We're done.