There's an address you can write to about rude, inefficient staff. I used it as I was ignored for 30 minutes after making an appointment with the manager. I got an impeccable reply - they even wanted a description of the offending staff.
I live in Pattaya. There are lots of businesses shutting down for lack of any charlies cheap or otherwise. You are giving the Thai Government credit for some kind of plan; for this a brain is necessary. The Hi sos care nothing for the ordinary Thai so long as their job is safe.
I've lived here 20 years full time so I know what has to be done. I am commenting on Thailand's penchant for overcomplicated rigmarole to explain why tourism is declining here whilst Vietnam is booming.
It's nothing to do with cheap but power crazed officials overcomplicating everything whilst Vietnam is keeping things simple. There's lots of 5* tourists choosing simplicity over unnecessary rigmarole.