Preheat the oven to 400ºF and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Place the potatoes in the dish, standing them up in rows. The potato slices should be standing upright and packed in generously.
Add the cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, sea salt, black pepper, and melted butter to a large bowl and whisk together. Pour this over the potatoes in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, then the fresh thyme leaves (if using).
Cover with greased foil and bake for 60-75 minutes, until the potatoes are mostly tender. Remove the foil and bake 10-15 minutes further to brown the topping. Let cool slightly before serving.
