@Valerie *********
nope a visa exempt entry means you washed up here with NO visa in your passport and were allowed in FREE for 30 days
A tourist visa you BUY from the thai consulate in your country before you wing your way here and when you show up you're stamped in for 60 days
BOTH a 30 day visa exempt and a 60 day tourist visa entry can be extended ONCE for 30 more days.
I just said get a single entry tourist visa because it gives you 90 days to get your act together bank account, document, etc wise so you have time left to go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at the immigration office