reason seams to be to deliver personal data not travel history. Its a stupid chip not a sd-card. But maybe the countrys log something yes. You could also request a 2. passport. Can request in EU if you travel between countries that would let you allow entry with a stamp from another country. Israel and Iran, China and Saudi (i think).
I stayed there last year for a month and found it cheap. Phuket before, was much more expensive. Comparing airbnb prices here. So, if its nice its expensive, nicer = more expensive. Can stay in rural isan almost for free = not nice. Thats where i am coming from. Hua Hin is perfect, not far from bkk and not a pattaya shithole. Phuket / Rawai area is my favourite but to far from bkk where i need to be a few times a month. At the airport in around 2.5hrs. Thats what it might make it more expensive. You have beach, you have bangkok close, intern. airport and so on without Pattayas low quality.