My first time at Suvarnabhumi was all done in 90 seconds. The IO was very impressed with my laminated A6 e-visa. She kept saying very easy to scan and showed it off to her colleague :D
The 180-day tax residency rule has always been in place, but only this last
***
years have ppl started to worry about it. You only need a TIN and file a tax return if you bring untaxed money onshore, work in Thailand or have money invested in Thailand. Otherwise enjoy you holiday/retirement
As long as you can convince the IO you are a genuine tourist you will be OK. They are clamping down on border bounces, and ppl who use visa-exempt to stay long term in Thailand
I applied in the UK. I'm also self employed but I was advised to setup a Ltd company and make myself a director. I wrote a letter to myself giving me permission to work remotely in Thailand.