So you say, but bottom line is anyone who meets the criteria can apply for it. Nothing unethical about it at all. Many "digital nomads" are 50+ and live in Thailand on retirement visas whilst still "creating content" or working remotely for overseas businesses. Technically they are currently unethical, as any employment on a retirement visa is strictly forbidden, whereas on a DTV is totally legal. And yes, you'll be seeing a massive decline in retirement visas, but hey ho that's life. You take the opportunities. Bring on the "consequences"!
times a year (last time I filed a 90-day report was during during the covid restrictions), the DTV is a Godsend for me. Five years and not required to visit immigration! That has to be a plus!!
The visa has a validity of five years, so you don't need a visa run. A simple border bounce will suffice. But many people, such as myself travel overseas regularly, so these trips will in effect be the border bounce.
I see it the opposite way. I see the DTV becoming the major visa in the years ahead, it's the others which will diminish in popularity. The DTV is a visa which will fit many situations and will streamline the whole process.
The 10,000 is the bonus, it's not the core. Governments are generally very short-sighted. It's all about NOW. If 30,000 people apply for this visa in the first year that's over 300 million Baht, and it's likely to be a lot more than that. From what I can see embassies and consulates are being swamped with applications.