Mate I have lived in Thailand 18 years and I have carefully followed Thai politics and media since the day I arrived. I read, write and speak Thai. I can read the local papers and understand the local news. I was at the airport in 2008 when it was taken over by the Yellows and I live near Rajaphrasong in Bangkok where the Reds and other shirts gathered more recently. Been there, seen it, done it.
The whole country is affected by the machinations of the military and domestic politics, in many ways. The country is still deeply divided on these issues, hence why the military still have Section 44 in effect (martial law in any other language). There were widespread political protests up where you are in Chiang Mai and other places in the country including the North East.
There's also a war raging in the four Southern provinces which has claimed over 6000 lives since 2004.
Thailand is not without its own problems. Politically it is still very unstable and potentially very volatile.
Telling people they can live on 30 day entry stamps is also irresponsible, they are clamping down on long term stayers abusing the stamps (which are not a visa but a permission to stay, visa free for a period of 30 days) and Immigration have stated that the maximum is 5 x 30 day stamps per year. If you are going to give people advice then tell them to get a proper visa instead of coming as a tourist and risking being stopped on entry as several people I know have their passport stamped with 'no entry without visa' for future runs. Get a proper Non-Immigrant visa and then you will have more long term stability would be better advice. Don't rely on tourist visas, entry stamps or extensions as that is asking for trouble.
Enjoy your time here, if you need any advice or assistance if you are in Bangkok I would be happy to help.