What Is The Earliest I Can Apply For 1-yr Extension?

[CBinParadise]

What is the earliest I can apply for a one year extension to my existing retirement visa?

Facts:

US citizen, age 63

Have retirement visa, expires 27 Aug 08

Have multi-entry permit

Can meet the financial requirements

However, I plan to be traveling outside of Thailand during Jun, Jul, and Aug 08, returning to Thailand early Sep 08.

I tried calling 1111 --- she could only tell me that I could renew 30 days before expiry --- no help.

What's the earliest anyone has applied for a renewal?

Or am I going about this bass-ackwards in some way?

Note: I am trying to make this thread useful to others, surely I am not the only one with this problem.

I searched the forums, got no hits.

HELP, Please!

[lopburi3]

You get the same answer here as you got from Immigration - 30 days. Anything more is an exception and normally not more than a few days or weeks.

[naka]

I tried calling 1111 --- she could only tell me that I could renew 30 days before expiry --- no help.

No help ? ... That was all you needed to know ... The lady told you the facts !

Naka.

[answer]

I renewed my 1 year Non-Immigrant visa 2 months before it expired. They received my application with no question asked.

Just submit in June.

[JimGant]

Worse case, as I see it, is that you have to re-enter Thailand after expiration of your retirement extension, thus having to come in on a 30-day stamp. But, because you have all the retirement extension requirements in-hand, 2000 baht will get you an in-country Non Imm O, which can then be extended samo samo your annual extension that became out of reach.

Only twist might be, that after giving you an in-country Non Imm O, they tell you to come back in 60 days (as some have reported here). And, if you're a travelin' man, as it would seem, this might prove inconvenient. (But, then, you get another 30-day stamp, pay 2000 baht, and continue the drill ad infinitum....)

Good news. No need to go to a foreign country (or waste time when your traveling through one) to get a Non Imm O visa.

[answer]

Worse case, as I see it, is that you have to re-enter Thailand after expiration of your retirement extension, thus having to come in on a 30-day stamp. But, because you have all the retirement extension requirements in-hand, 2000 baht will get you an in-country Non Imm O, which can then be extended samo samo your annual extension that became out of reach.

Only twist might be, that after giving you an in-country Non Imm O, they tell you to come back in 60 days (as some have reported here). And, if you're a travelin' man, as it would seem, this might prove inconvenient. (But, then, you get another 30-day stamp, pay 2000 baht, and continue the drill ad infinitum....)

Good news. No need to go to a foreign country (or waste time when your traveling through one) to get a Non Imm O visa.

Looks like people should not go out of Thailand 1 month before his visa expires.