I was. A mutual friend connected us up. We did the online thing for about 6 months. We arranged to meet on my next trip to Thailand, and we have been a couple for the last 5 years.
But I agree that you should be careful. Especially if she lives in Pattaya.
I have been asked once by the airline flying me, as well as once by Thai immigration. Both pre Covid though. As I wasn't staying over a month anyway, I had them booked already.
You may as well book one of your excursion flights now. Just in case.
Yeah, you need your passport when you make a purchase. It can be a hassle as you have to have the things checked before security, and get your $$$ after security.
I DID read though about someone who had an issue with the extra time on a UK passport while either RETURNING from abroad, or when travelling through the EU. (I can't remember which scenario it was.) You may want to confirm you can return with a passport over 10 years, or fly through the EU with a passport over 10 years.
Most likely a combination of different airlines because Etihad isn't flying your route that day. Basically they are saying "choose Etihad on another day, or another airline for that day".