Sorry Andy, but all foreigners entering Thailand from May 1st are required to SUBMIT the New arrival card on-line to Thai Immigration.
Regardless of your interpretation...
You are a foreigner and must complete the forum within 72 hours of your planned arrival into Thailand. Moderator Ellie did reply correctly to your post by PM.
You should have STAYED IN LAOS until the DTV Visa decision was made. You were lucky that the Thai Embassy or Consulate didn't ask to see EACH page of your passport. It has happened.
You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.
Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.