Is Thailand still a viable option for expats seeking short-term stays and affordable visas?

Do some research dude. This is discussed every single day.

How will you support yourself and your partner?

Philippines is probably a better solution but the food is sht not as good as thai food

If you have a university degree you could teach school

I have many friends who are not married to a Thai under the age of 50 living in Thailand for years. One has a volunteer stamp. another has an ED stamp. I believe it’s around 40,000 to 50,000 baht a year. However after 3-4 years I would feel immigration would say no more? After three years probably would want to explore more countries.

You may have to have a 2nd place besides Thailand that you can spend a month at, in between Thailand visas and extensions. (Or be a true tourist in between visas). But I think it will get hard if you are not moving about Thailand as well.

Somebody out there with METV experience? What did u out as a reason or see as one? Would “extended traveling in Asia with the majority spend in Thailand over the next year “ count as such ?

sadly, still have to say that Thailand is still a good place to live, we have to try to beat the systems now and then.

If you can get a bachelor's (4 yr) degree in English, and preferably a Post Graduate Education Certificate, you can usually stay one year at a time in most Asian countries working as an English teacher. The work is easy (though it requires dedication and responsibility), pays more than what the locals earn, and usually can work up to age 60 in LOS. Many do this and have lived in Korea, PRC, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi. If USA citizen, don't even have to pay income taxes on the first $100k (+/-). Go to college, at 30, you have time. Good luck!

You’ll need a reason for a METV but a SETV gives you 90 days with extension and off to Laos and get one more wouldn’t push it much after that

You can apply for the 6 Month METV visa if you qualify for it, you can obtain this in your passport holding country(s) or a country where you are resident of, you can get 9 months out the 6 Month visa with a border bounce around the expiration date....there is the 60 Day SETV for 1,900 THB and extend it for 1,900 THB for a total of 90 day in Thailand...you can apply for multiple SETV's in a row however you most likely will get denied if you try to get 3 in row from the same Thai Embassy/Consulate... you get 2 land border crossing per calendar year (01 Jan - 31 Dec) and each one of these can be extended for 30 days at your local immigration office for 1,900 THB...there is no official amount of Fly Ins at airports but eventually you will get that one over zealous Immigration officer that says otherwise, all Visa waiver stamps can be extended for 30 days at your local immigration office for 1,900THB...prices are still pretty cheap here and the weather is still tropical...good luck

METV would be the best option to give you up to 9months. Otherwise, ED visa is another option but involves actually attending classes. Not many cheap options for under 50yo these days

Living in Thailand on short term stays is not an option as you'll be stopped after 2-3 times and eventually denied entry.

The ED visa and studying is one option for up to a year but after that you're about out of options.