1 year in Thailand is 1 Multiple Entry Tourist visa ($200) + 1 Single Entry Tourist Visa ($60).

@Andreas ********

Things that factor in to you entering Thailand successfully are

-previous entry / stay history (past nine years)

-what airport you fly into (sometimes I fly, sometimes I do land crossing)

-whether you were here over Covid (I was here for the full thing)

-whether you have an old ED or Volunteer visa in your passport (I have a volunteer visa).

I think more importantly is how you treat the immigration officers... But it's your fantasy, and you'll kick-out anybody that ruins it for you. :)

@Andreas ********

do you as you feel best. But I wouldn't call that advice. The next best thing to a crystal ball is experience, which you apparently don't have either.

@Andreas ********

I have different experiences.

" Somebody who has maxed out a multi entry tourist visa must stay abroad for a few MONTHS, not weeks,"

Did you read that on the interweb somewhere or you are guessing?

you can turn around same day. An immigration officer once told me it looks better if I am out a couple of weeks.

@Marta ******

I have been a tourist for about 9 years. Sure it's strange but not uncommon. Truthfully, I have used various different visa types over the past 9 year but most were tourist.

METV is a better option. Then you only have to do border bounce (go have lunch in a neighboring country).

@Dan ********

When I did this they were funny about paying in cash. They required crisp brand-new $20 bills. This was about 5 years ago. I would recommend bringing with you brand new $20 bills specific to pay.

Tourist visas. You can stay up to 90 days. Go visit some other country for a week or two every 90 days.

@Wyn *********

I do that frequently. Usually the fine is only 500baht so I don't bother learning my mistakes.

I think my agent charges about 4500 (they cover the 1900). For a border run to Cambodia, 3500. I suspect the the 4500 is because the Pattaya immigration office is a pain and everybody gets a piece of the pie. You can do it yourself for 1900 baht... However, DIY will likely result in a couple of day trips to immigration.