Several times in the past three years Thai Immigration has publically announced that they were going to eliminate illegal stays, overstays and illegal working. And they have been progressively doing just that. I don't see how it could be a surprise to anyone.
You may be required to send photos of your Thailand Exit Stamp and your Malaysian Entry Stamp in your passport back to your employer or agent before the stamped Accepted WP.3 Application and the Labor Ministry Cover Form Letter is released. And some Labor Ministries take up to 5 days before sending the Cover Letter - some do the same day.
Scott - in the sense that an age 50 or older person can stay in Thailand for a year, - the AO Visa is similar to getting a One Year Extension of Stay to Non Imm. O Visa. But you obtain the OA differently and the OA is more generous in benefits. As already said you get the OA visa at a Thai Consulate / Embassy in the home country... You prove possessing financial ability in home country currency equivalent to 800,000 Baht, a police check and medical cert. Plus the visa fee. On the face of it the OA visa is good for one year. But an exit from Thailand and reentry just a day or two just before the first year expiry grants another year's stay from the reentry date. Being Multi-Entry in the first year the OA Visa also allows unlimited exits from Thailand and Reentry which can allow for easy regional tourism. In my opinion the OA visa is the best choice for folks age 50 and over.