Haven't read the whole 45 pages but did the first 3-4 and then last 5.
I have an Elite Visa from 7 years ago, it's still valid for another 13 years (5 years a pop) but I bought it when it was 1 million baht for 20 year (the absolutely NO fluff one)
Before that, I used to be on 6 months multiple entry tourist visas which I would leave and come back last day of the six month to get an extra 2 months + 1 extension and then went home --which always cost me more thank 50k.
The METVs for me were a ±3 weeks trip back home, a 4000 baht visa application and then waiting + risking getting declined. Would last me for 9 months and rinse/repeat.
Just with applications and extensions fees they would be easily be ±13,000 THB a year including stupid trips to Myanmar border (4h drive) and 700 baht "fees"
And then add the plane trip both ways which took 3 days each and an overnight train, always about 45-50k and give or take 8k for the train (and headaches that come with both)
With Elite, I paid about 50,000 per year worth, it was worth it at the time.. not so much anymore as Elite prices have been raised quite a bit since then, it is now 5m for 20 years.. (250k a year), 2.5m for 15 years (166k a year), 1.5m for 10 years (150k a year) and 900k for 5 years (180k a year).
Note, the numbers don't make sense, why would you want 20 years for 5 millions if you can get two 10 years for 3 millions?
Obviously, paying 10k a 5 year stamp would be a better option for me (2000 baht a year) even if I did go outside say for a day every 6 months, might cost me total of 10k with some cheap trip and accommodations.
So a lot of rambling maybe, but "cheap" elite cost me
Total before, about 65k a year. lots of headache, chances to get declined at borders/visa applications.
Total now, 51,900 per year (50k visa, 1900 baht extension yearly) but no headaches, online 90 days etc.
DTV would cost me ±10k a year with two cheap flights/hotels once per 6m.
So this means this is give or take 20% of the price I paid for Elite or 6.6% of the current price for a double 10 year Elite visa. (the most cost effective one)
Easy win if you can make it work!