I just went through all this last month. I used my recently renewed retirement visa so I can’t give advice on qualifying the other type. The rest was pretty straight forward. Line up the correct Covid test in advance, not the quick one, the one with the nasal swab. I had some anxiety with that since some places couldn’t guarantee the needed turnaround of under 3 days before my flight. Don’t pay for the hotel until you are pre approved. I sent proof of my vaccinations even though it bought me no time off my quarantine period. It was advised to take extra hard copies or everything, including tests, passport, coe, insurance, hotel proof so I did. It helped.

The website worked pretty well and the consulate, in Chicago anyway, was fast. So was Bangkok. Good lick

I flew in last week from Chicago . A FTF was not required.