Abusing the system ...maybe so...but the average Joe , keeping his nose clean , flying under the radar , spending all his money right here = contributing to the thai economy with no burden...if he goes , then so does the money.
Don't understand all this visa confusion and miss information. Thailand relies on tourism. Lots of cash comes in and tourists no real burden on the country. Make it easier. Let them come. Just maybe more criminal checks both local , residential , domestic and international.
Should be a police clearance from your home country and world wide criminal check then come and stay as long as you want. After all we all pay our way , bring heaps of money in to the country and are no burden on thailand. Just saying.