These people are not interested in easing the way for mass tourism, and don't give a darn about the plight of millions of unemployed and desperate tourism workers. The truth is that the hi-so autocrats who run this country have always looked down their noses at foreign visitors in tank tops and shorts (something no Thai gentleman would be caught dead in except at the golf and country club in their gated communities). And I fully expect them to tighten the screws further on foreign retirees. They also look down their noses at Thai women who marry foreigners and their spouses, so don't expect any respect or admiration there. We are going to have to face reality and decide how much b.s. we can put up with, or look at other retirement destinations. Retiring in Mexico is relatively uncomplicated and there are no penalties for being a foreign resident. It's also cheaper than Thailand.