It's a bit of a desperate move from Thailand as, despite the data TAT churn out, real tourism in Thailand is still in the doldrums. "They" are thrashing around trying to boost figures to the hay-day 40mil. pax a year, still blind to the facts that Thailand simply does not have the infrastructure, enforced standards & safety, sanitory mechanisms or even water supplies that are required to attract, support and expand repeat mass tourism.
To the moaners on the "sucker" visas, TIT! Rules and regulations change at the drop of a hat without any concern on how they fit with other existing RnRs, should have seen that one coming.