I had a rental car. Left it at secure parking lot on Thai side of border. Walked across border. Ignore guys saying they will get you a Cambodia visa. Just walk to the Cambodia visa office and get it yourself. On the Cambodia side, there are many private taxis who can take you to Siem Reap. Last note, there is an area with Casinos between Thailand and Cambodia, which is like a visa free zone. You have to walk past this area to get to the Cambodia visa offices.
Warning: Men in the US are crazy and obsessed with Asian women. The amount of attention, pickup attempts and offers an Asian female will receive in the US is overwhelming. So an Asian lady landing in the US, will suddenly feel like she is the most beautiful and desirable lady in the World. So it's not surprising that a beautiful 22 year old, is testing the field. She's feeling the same way we feel when we land in Thailand.
You can do this on Visa Exempt, if not staying in Thailand more than 30 days. It's possible you may encounter problems after the 3rd, 4th entry or more. To decrease this possibility, you can get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. And you can stay in Thailand up to 60 days plus a 30 day extension, on each entry. Thus, reducing your trips in and out of Thailand. Another option is stay in your out of Thailand locations longer, say 15 or 20 days, again reducing your trips in and out of Thailand.
In USA the evisa is for 60 days, than you can get an extension for 30 more days. Idk about UK. Yes, you need a flight booked out of Thailand within the 60 days. Can be to Cambodia. A side trip to Cambodia/Vietnam is an ez way to get the 30 days extension or Visa Exempt. The 45 days Visa Exempt has been reduced back to 30 days. As for hotel, it used to be the first hotel booking was sufficient. Maybe someone else can comment about this and UK requirements.
That's my point, you are not being honest with immigration, if coming in on a Tourist visa, but are actually applying for a job. Everyone knows how picky Thailand is about foreigners working in Thailand.