I was in Si Racha Immigration today. They said you can change visas without leaving the country. I had friends change a tourist visa to marriage visa without leaving thailand last year.
Leaving the country was the old rule several years ago.
Also I posted about banks closing where I am in Bang Saen-they are going to limit bank access only to mall areas here. Seems stand alone banks will close this weekend.
Thais get much more info on changes than we do. Take it for what it's worth.