Many people will find it hard to return to their home countries. Also, the stranded foreigners being in Thailand means an extra income source for the country. Extending the grace period makes sense.
I am fluent enough in Thai to take care of my own banking, but they seem to be so unfamiliar with foreigners where I live that they'd rather say 'no' out of sheer convenience.
In my town of Narathiwat it is impossible to open an account without a wp. At any bank actually, not just SCB. Just singling it out as my employer wanted me to open my account there.
