i was given one year to stay with this visa

i want to confirm that

if i leave the country,

say go back to the dreaded Cambodian border,

before the visa expires in Dec 08

i can get another year

true?

for sure?

any chance this could change?

or is there a risk of not getting another full year

especially in regards to aranyapatet Cambodian border (not sure how to spell it)

As long as you return on the 7th or before you will obtain a new one year permitted to stay stamp (if in fact visa was issued in December 2007 as you say and is multi entry). That important date is the visa expiration date (determined by issue date) and not the current permitted to stay until date. Example:

Visa issued Dec 9, 2007 - expires Dec 8, 2008

Enter Thailand Dec 12, 2007

Permitted to stay until Dec 11, 2008

You must enter on December 7 or before in the above example.

As long as you return on the 7th or before you will obtain a new one year permitted to stay stamp (if in fact visa was issued in December 2007 as you say and is multi entry). That important date is the visa expiration date (determined by issue date) and not the current permitted to stay until date. Example:

Visa issued Dec 9, 2007 - expires Dec 8, 2008

Enter Thailand Dec 12, 2007

Permitted to stay until Dec 11, 2008

You must enter on December 7 or before in the above example.

So i guess my multiple runs out at the 5th of August and I travel abroad befor this date let's say

Penang, would I have any problems extending it for another year?

Multiple what? We are talking only about the long stay retirement non immigrant OA visa which provides a one year permitted to stay stamp on entry and is issued with a one year validity period. You can obtain a new one year permitted to stay stamp on any entry during the validity of the visa. But once the visa expires (one year from issue date) you must obtain a re-entry permit for any travel before you leave Thailand to keep the last permitted to stay until date alive.