For you a non imm O based on being over 50 years and your partner can go for a STV which should give a maximum of 270 days (what I read). A volunteer visa can be an option. At present I would not set my heart on being able to whiz in and out of Thailand to visit other countries.
Phetchabun office is one of the better offices in my experience. I think there was a communication problem. I think they thought you wanted to extend your non O. Return to the office and speak to the guy in charge.
as you know it all its not worth it. Just read the Thai law and you will then know you are wrong about the legality of doing any work here without the correct visa and wp. As said the letter of the law and what is enforced are two different things.
I disagree, strictly according to the law you may not do any work (effort) inside the country without a correct visa and wp. Further more the work you may do is limited according to law. Where you generate money or get paid from or to is irrellevant. But the chance of being caught is small.
unfortunately yes. But there is no need for it in the longterm. If the same amount of money is spend on finding a cure as what has been spend on vaccines we can have a cure very quickly. As soon as there is a cure CV 19 will become just another disease and the fear will disappear.
I think this will be the future of travelling for the next few years. Less travelling and longer stays. I can only see that normality will return when they develop medicines that can effectively treat CV 19. With the virus mutating fast, the vaccines will just be a gap filler untill then.