if an agent assists you with opening a bank account, everything is in your name, they are just assisting you with the process, they have connections in the bank, you go with them to the bank, and fill out a form with all your details, it's very easy, you don't even have to queue up 😉
it is not a waste of money to someone who has spent days, or even weeks without success, walking around every single bank, only to be told numerous times NO!! You cannot open a bank account, agents usually do the whole process, apart from you need to accompany the agent to the bank for around 10 mins, to fill out a form, it is usually between ฿3000 or ฿4000 agent fee, and you have got the account for Life.
Usually with ED visas, your given advice not to leave the country, Brandon has given you good advice regarding your situation, so I suppose the decision is yours, I understand your difficult situation.
Was it a lawyer that does visas?? I've sat in numerous visa agents offices, discussing my options, and never been charged for advice, the visa you apply for depends on your age, and financial situation to meet visa requirements, find out all your options, and then decide if you want to do it yourself, or get a visa agent to assist you.
Tim Gascoigne if the DTV can be obtained with a few cooking classes, or muay Thai classes, why would someone give all their financial information to the authorities of any country, how do you know they are not saving all that information, and could use it against someone that doesn't file a tax return, a lot of the digital nomads will just continue to hide in hotel room somewhere, and not do anything, the same as they have always done, who knows in a couple of years time, they may chase all of them, for unpaid income tax.