She did write to the French embassy and explain that she would not be back in her home country before flying to Europe. They allowed her to proceed with TLS in Bangkok and she got the multi entry Schengen visa authorized within a couple of days
the DTV is indeed nothing more than a glorified tourist visa. And I don’t think it would qualify as ‘residence’ per se. But maybe!
But that is a different issue. You are asking whether or not a third party national can apply for Schengen visa from within Thailand, which is a good question. My partner did so last year and received her Schengen visa from France. But I understand it can be an issue.
if I need a pool boy or toilet scrubber I will reach out to you. In the meantime, see if you can save up a few penny’s and buy yourself something nice. You look shit for a guy who is only 80