I really liked the Philippines except for the non stop rain for 2-3 months per year… if you can find somewhere there to avoid that and the Islamic terrorism attacks, it would be good…
Unfortunately TIT, and they can and do whatever they like, weather it’s within the written down rules or not, often it’s just a roll of the dice with Thailand.
can they get a 60 day multi entry visa, then extend for 30 days, a quick trip over a border and fly back into Thailand and will be granted another 60 days as it will be within the 6 months period of the visa, then extend another 30 days? I have done that a few years ago, in fact I went over the border again and returned to Thailand just before the expiry of the 6 month visa, and was given another 60 days. So about 9 months was easily achievable in about 2018.