please be careful how you toss around the word hard copy, since to me that would imply the physically raised seal version from embassy. I belive you mean a print out from the email pdf? Was it color or black and white? What immigration office? Each one is giving different sets of rules so people would like to know this info.
as of when? They were fighting tooth an nail against my friend asking even a few days ago. On what grounds did this person get it, or was there a policy change
the appeals process is with immigration. You appeal directly with them. There are reports of individual immigration officers changing their opinion once it was appealed to their boss
Digital print out of new zelands letter just converted to an extension at muang Thani. A print should be fine. Appeal if they reject since it's allowed