People did use get deported and come into Thailand TG....... now things are a lot tighter , with computers etc --they are picking up people who have been on the run for many years. The finger print Photo etc, But he could have been deported and come back. I know of people who did .
It was just a matter of (say the UK) going back and changing your surname--you just have to put it in the public notices of a Newspaper, and the only people who are interested in reading that are usually Bailiffs etc --making sure you are not trying to get out of payments somewhere.
Renew the passport and Phuket was always the best entry point then.
Now I dont think thats an option--- maybe there are other options----dont know.