The ed visa with agent will be available again in June or July. And no, they are not fake, it's real stamp from real officer. Getting a bribe does not mean that the stamp are fake.
I agree about ruling and implementation being inconsistent. BUT... in a situation like the one Garrett was in, he handle it the way I would and I've been in Thailand for a very long time. This is the kind of "grinding mentality" that you need in Thai hospital, immigration, police checkpoint, etc.
You don't have any experience dealing with Thai hospital staff, immigration, and police, and it shows. I have dealt with similar situations the way Garrett did and always ended well (even once at the freaking Poi Pet border, the worse border you can think of). There is no such thing as calling the police, they never do it, it's an empty threat always.
This is factually incorrect. The best way is almost always to stand your ground the way he did. I speak from experience. It will very rarely end well if you show weakness.