I went swimming with my passport. It was damaged. I used it until it was not valid, several years. Each time they would tell me to replace it but I was getting on the plane. That was a really long time ago. Another time later my passport was just worn out from rough usage and it worked okay. that was maybe twenty years ago. Maybe that wouldn't work now, I don't know
Maybe go to Mexico and Guatemala instead? You are fighting an uphill battle. You are attempting a difficult task when there are many cheap alternatives
angry old men? Maybe just realistic. Do you have a spare room in your house? Why not just lock yourself in the room for two weeks and not talk to anyone. You will get the same experience for free. You don't need to go to Thailand to do it.