Anonymous participant In theory with the DTV you could stay for 5 years (with 9 border bounces) without worrying about taking the pi55. All for 10k. Doing visa exempts / extensions for same period would cost 38k.
Depends on how long you want to stay in Thailand. You method has the added anxiety that each trip they may refuse entry. If you have a life set up in thailand, a condo, belongings here, a motorbike say, being denied entry becomes unacceptable.
Anonymous participant you cannot stay in Thailand long term using visa exempts. The guy above who does it regularly will eventually be stopped and questioned, and told to get an appropriate visa.