DTV, especially if you are not married.

The cost of living in Thailand, is about the same as it was 5 years ago. There were a lot of discounts (hotels, airfare, restaurants, entertainment) in the COVID and post-COVID days. Those COVID discounts are gone. Prices are back to normal, with some increases accounting for inflation and strength of the Baht. At the most 10-20%, but the prices in the USA have increased 20% or more also. It's a wash.

You will be hard pressed, if not impossible, in many cities in the USA to rent a small apartment for $1,000 per month. And when you find one, it won't be very nice. Bangkok or Pattaya at $1000 USD or 31,000 THB / month your living in a luxury condo. You can rent a very nice place for $500 USD per month, or less.

Safe answer: If you have time, reapply for new visa. Unless, you are from a visa exempt country. Why risk traveling all the way to Thailand, to be denied entry, or be denied boarding by the airline.

Book a RT ticket in her name, book hotel in her name, make sure she has 20,000 baht or equivalent, and prep her to say, she is going on "holiday." Should help if questioned by Philippines authorities, and needed if questioned by Thai authorities.

Yes, get a SETV. It doesn't guarantee entry, but decreases the likelihood of denied entry.

Shouldn't be a problem since your first stay in Thailand, is a very short time, 1 day. They are looking for people who stay close to 90 days. That is, unless you have a lot of visa exempts and trips to Cambodia in your history.

This is an idea. Use visa exempt on your first entry. Use your non-o visa on your second entry.

Condos don't care about Visa. You probably can do Visa Exempt a couple of times. Then I'd suggest getting a multi-entry e-visa (tourist visa). I was doing similar for a couple of years. No problems. Now have DTV for longer stays. I think the trick was going back to the USA, versus a neighboring country. And staying in the USA a couple of months before returning to Thailand.

@Daniel *****

That was very helpful. (Sarcasm).

@Adam *******

Best Answer. Getting snippy with airport personnel serves no purpose. Yes, they aren't immigration officers, but they can call the immigration officers. Just smile and say thanks and move on.