I agree with you 100%. If a person doesn't have the financial means then stay home. Too many try to skirt the system which is indeed problematic. In my situation I already planned ahead and just needed a bucket to drop the cash in which my agent set up properly and legally.
For the simple reason that an agent will get it all set up and completed without wasting my time and effort. A great decision I made and I recommend it as the best approach to anyone else.
You absolutely have the right thinking to get an agent involved. I used an agent to get my retirement Visa set up as well as the renewals and all things relating to immigration. Best decision ever. My agent only covers Bangkok though.
Bonus, perhaps, but when it comes to Thai girls and money, if she's doing all the talking in Thai, I'd be changing my pin right after and double checking all the papers!