Timing Of Visa Extensions

[thedi]

• I entered Thailand on the Aug, 20 2009 on a Non-Immigrant O (multiple entry) visa and was stamped until Nov, 17 2009.
  
• I never did an extension of a Non-Immigrant O stay before.
  
• but I plan to change to yearly extensions now.
  

I like to ride my bike - but not in the rain. Hence I would like to do my future extensions sometime in the cool season (Nov to Feb). Should I do a visa run (I have Non Immigrant O multiple entries still valid until June 2010) to sync my future yearly extensions into the cool season?

If I extend the permission to stay with reason 'retired' (I fulfill all conditions: money in bank, 60 years old) in the beginning of November, will I get an extension until Aug, 20 2010 or until Nov, 17 2010?

I was always of the opinion that the first extension would give me only an additional 9 month to make it a full year, but I heard now from two different cases which claim they got an additional 12 month on their first extension in Nong Khai. What are the current rules - or is it depending on the office/officer?

Thanks for any comments from sages and people with own experiences.

Thedi

[lopburi3]

Extensions are 12 months from current permitted to stay date - so you do not have to change anything.