residency cost about 200K and only about 100 applicants a year are excepted, the process takes about 18 months and you have to take a Thai language test etc.
Not everyone has a smartphone or even internet access. I need to use a phone to call my mother in the UK, she doesn't want or know how to use the internet. I bought her a tablet to use for talking to her sis in Australia and other family members. It's still in the box. Also many business calls still need to be made over the phone, contacting banks, and even if you have problems with companies like FB, Paypal, eBay, you have to contact them by phone and usually a US number. Also, my friend's wire transfer to Blockfoli went missing, and guess what? It was a US number. So there are many occasions when a US number are required or handy to all those negatively responding here.
The only reason the UK and US are waiting three months is to try and get everyone covered with at least on shop first to take the pressure of hospitals