Because if you want to work here you have a choice, legal or illegal, there is no other choice. You say a one man operation can not work under the rules of setting up a company, i traded as a one man operation for 16 years, but i followed the rules.
You say you don't want to go the legal route, setting up a business etc so your alternative is working illegally and being deported. Your choice as there is no other choice,
I have used the long term stay every time even though i don't need to, i still average 6 seconds transfer not 24 hours. It takes only 6 seconds because the transfer is done within Thailand so there is no FTT coding. But if i needed it i would just ask the bank.
I contacted Bangkok ( i am in Phuket ) head office to clarify the ruling and was told that if my tambon/district was not locked down to do 90 day/visas as normal.My friends wife contacted Phuket imm and was told the same thing. I did my 90 day yesterday and it was busy. My understanding is that imm want to reduce the number of people who would be attending imm on the 31st July.