Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day permit and then apply for a tourist visa without leaving the country?

The user is planning to travel to Thailand spontaneously for 3 months, initially entering with a 30-day permit. They ask if they need to leave Thailand to activate a tourist visa after the 30 days. Responses indicate that if a tourist visa is obtained before entering, they must leave and re-enter to activate it. Alternatively, they might extend the 30-day exemption by 30 days at immigration or do a border run for more time.