When you say a LOT more....is is about another 500 baht or $15 more.....but yes as you said. Go all that way to Vientiane, might as well get a SETV.

Do it yourself, very easy.

People say I am crazy when I say this, but never go to a female IO on arrival to Thailand. The likelihood of them stopping you is much higher than a male officer in my opinion and experience. But as mentioned above, not really worth chancing it all the time, especially when there is no valid reason for you not to get a visa. So quite rightly it looks suspicious to immigration, especially if they are back to back or very close together.

I also don't do 12 hours in a mini van or on a bus. Because screw that. ;)

The best and most comfortable way to do it is to get Thai airways in the night before directly to Vientiane from Suvarnabhumi, stay one night and go in the morning to the consulate. Stay another night and then get your visa then next afternoon and fly out late evening. It is NOT the cheapest by any means, but if you get a decent hotel perhaps with a pool or something it is a nice trip. I sometime value LESS Hassle and running around over saving a bit of money. Vientiane is a sleepy little town, but it has nice little cafes and a nice sunset. If you book ahead you may get a special so it might not be too crazy a price.

Have to go and pay over stay as it is less than 90 day overstay. Pay that and they should give you 24 more days.

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You can have a number of problems at any particular time for whatever reason the IO decides to make one for you. A long history of stamps, entries, tourist visas may not ever be a problem, or it could be a big problem, you never know. It does seem to be more of an issue when applying for a tourist visa though, which is what the post is about. In this case to prevent any further problems at a consulate, a new passport is required. If entering on a VE then he might be alright for a while (until he isn't)

This post is literally regarding his problems in getting a SETV which got denied due to previous visas and entries and you are recommending him to go and try to get another one which might get refused. Go and get a new passport and clear all the old stamps and tourist visas, then you won't have any issues at a consulate for a few more years.

That is pretty irresponsible advice. You can be pulled up at any time at a consulate or on arrival to Thailand and be questioned, even though they are on separate systems. Too many stamps, exemptions, tourist visas can be a problem in both circumstances.