Cards send by Registered US Mail. Delivery time from US to here around 14 to 16 days. But safe and inexpensive. FedEx okay but UPS is a crap shoot and expensive. Priority Mail from USPS okays too for packages. But duty maybe applied so yes remove any price tags and declare unit cost smaller. Applying insurance on shipment will be met with duty charges...
You do not need a thai person to open bank account. Use BKK Bank or K bank. Former is easy.
NEVER open a bank account with someone else... a Joint Account... always keep things like that separate from others (credit cards also!) no matter what country you are in or what nationality the other person is. Joint accounts are never a good idea!
Hotel will file for you ... hence showing them your passport. If you camp... no one will care. If you are registered at your home address.... other than staying at a hotel who will file for you.... no one will notice now is it required if returning to same address. Been here for 10 years. I let hotels do their thing as they are required and leave well enough alone.