"Dress Codes" existed since I entered Thailand the first time decades ago. Nothing new ;-)

valid till 29th December, not October.

If you exit and enter on the 29th December 2017, you will be allowed to stay until the 27th February 2018. On the 26th February 2018 you could get an extention of stay for 1'900 THB at an immigration office which would allow you to stay until 29th March 2018 at the most.

Several decades ago I recon ;-)

Many, many years ago going to Malaysia, I was told I have to pay tax because I stayed more than 180 days in Thailand, didn't matter what kind of visa. I was told I have to return to Surat Thani to get "tax clearance". Although an hour later, a couple of "papers" in my passport sorted the issue as well.

So I recon, the 180 days is not an immigration but a tax issue.

Never had a problem getting a 1 year Non-B in Penang or Kota Bahru.

17 years of Non-B visas and KL refused my visa because of "too many stamps" which is ridiculous :-)

It's perfectly OK to enter ON the date. Done it myself several times. Even left and entered on the "Enter Before" date.

Doesn't work since weeks. They do not answer mails, nor do you get any tickets and their Facebook page is down since nearly a month.

Basically, people trying to scam immigration rules got scammed ;-)

No you can't. The only way to "switch" passport is if you fly in to a country but if you come in by land, you can not switch Passport between the borders.

Without knowing peoples nationality is always pretty difficult to give good advice but if you are an Israeli national, you will not be able to go to Malaysia.