What are the limitations on obtaining tourist visas and visa exemptions in Thailand?

from my experiences at the airport, the officer I get at arrivals just spends a few minutes flipping through each page in my passport checking to see my history of how long I've been here, but I've only got questioned twice, the first time was when I was just entering solely on back to back Visa exemptions, on the 7th entry, he asked me "Why do you come to Thailand? Are you working here? Next time apply for Tourist visa" this was before I knew about Tourist visas since US Passports are eligible for visa exemption, but once he noticed I was leaving and entering on the same day, the officer was the one who told me to apply for the Tourist visa so that's what I've been doing ever since. it seems like as long as they see I'm still actively traveling they haven't had a problem with it

while it will "wipe the slate clean" as far as the thai consulates when applying for visas it is not going to do anything as far as the thai immigration people at passport control where you stamp into the country. They will see your entire visa entry history from all the passports you've had. At some point they're gonna call you on the carpet for living here on tourist visas.. Just be prepared is all