I had exactly what I have now John-- a 1 year tourist visa (there was no such thing as a retirement visa although thats what they refer to these Visa's as now, but they are still an extension of that ) I
Used to get it through The Thai Oz sub office Brisbane. There were many of them around the world.
I remember (but not the exact date) when we were told that you could renew in pattaya at the I.O. which was behind the sailor bar in Soi 7 they then turned that into a holding cells for over-stayers when they moved to J.T.
I guess the best person to ask about these dates is George ... as he ran this site-= Thai Visa , which also could help you with your visa's problems and would know all those dates...............COME IN GEORGE........... or I will start to think I was having fantasy's