pattaya is definitely bad, I got done with a loud exhaust there, definitely depends where u are. Chon buri is it's own kingdom. I call this country "The land of stories" cause everyone has a different one. Enjoy it.
you got finessed, that's not the norm. I've had no helmet an no license on me drunk at 2am and drove off after telling him I don't want to do the test. Granted at the time I held a thai police I'd but still u both are right but not all the time and not everywhere. If you came through my checkpoint you'd be fine if ur docs stack up.
Hanoi is to be avoided, they cancel for no reason, I've seen the exact same application cancelled in hanoi then the same docs given in hcmc and it was approved
For the monthly option you need to show in your THAI bank account, monthly money transfers from overseas, you must also have a minimum of 12 months of this happening