I'm probably very different to most people here.
I've been working offshore on a drilling rig, I made Thailand my home in my 30's, I had to adapt, I only needed a tourist visa as my rotation is 28 days on and off, you soon get to know your way around when you're thrown in the deep end.
2015 I worked offshore, Songkla. Prior to that, 18 years ago I had never worked in Thailand, my bank (Kasikorn) issue me a Platinum credit card, I now have a Wisdom card also.
So many changes in Thailand over the years, sadly for the worse.