Dubai Connect is available when your itinerary is the shortest available connection, i.e. there is no earlier flight to Thailand you could take, even if slightly more expensive. Also your ticket cost has to be over a certain threshold, which afaik varies by reason. From Southern Africa I know the threshold was around $800 a few years ago, I think from most regions it would be $800-$1000 to qualify. You will however qualify for a meal voucher which you can collect in the airport for a free meal from certain restaurants. Investing in a snooze cube or lounge would also make sense.