What are the best strategies to maximize a 6-month METV expiring in January 2024 while considering visa exemptions or VOA options?

Your best option at this point is to leave Thailand right before the 17th, then come back on another 60 day stamp, then a few days before your end of the 6months from the time it was approved, leave and come back in for your last 60 day stamp, then 30 day extension. If you extend this stamp you'll still have to leave twice in order to time it right for the longest time, but without the 30 day extension cost, if you extend this coming 17th. Leave and come back then that takes you to March if you leave then. Just exiting and returning now once. Everything before was to give you almost three more months, into June.

As long as you stamp back into Thailand on or just prior to the "valid until" date on your visa you will get another 60 days which can be extended by 30 days

The way you maximize METV is by leaving and returning 1-3 days before the visa expires so you can get a final 60 day tourist stamp and 30 day extension.