Same day you get the visa if you wanted to. It’s one working day. Apply first day, collect afternoon next day.

The best Thai consulate in my opinion is still Vientiane. They take Thai baht so no need to exchange currency. Right next to Thailand so you can go back the same day even. You can take the bus from the south bus station to the friendship bridge for less than a dollar.

Theres a few caveats but workable.

1 ED visa every 12 months. Have to make an appointment, which actually makes the consulate run more efficient.

You won’t be asked for onward travel by anyone. Because it’s not something that’s expected

6 months at a time is ok as a tourist visa as you no need to park 800k in a bank account.

But ultimately depends on what your goals are though. If you see yourself travelling frequently in the validity of the period in Thailand I would go get a METV.

As long as you don’t do more than 2 land borders a year on exempt

As long as you don’t use Bkk (or Phuket) airports you can probably get by on 6-9 months as a traveller on visa exempts.

But I think anyone over a certain age will not trigger anything by immigration (who’s not intending to stay for long) as they are not really employable material in Thailand.

Unlimited subject to discretion.

It’s something that you can’t live there on but you can do as many ins and outs especially if they are quick trips.

Go into your local immigration office and have the correct admitted to stay clarified.

Depends on how long you intend to stay for on your second trip.

If its under 30 days a visa exempt will suffice. Taking a trip for 2 months then a short break in Cambodia and then coming back to Thailand looks like a normal traveller to me.

If you have multiple entries or a reentry permit on your current stay/visa you should be able to use any border unless the other country says no.