Next year I have a flight booked out on the 3 of July 2015, My return flight is 19th July.

My Extension (Retirement) of stay expires on the 17th July 2015,

Do I do re-new before I go or upon return?

You have to apply for a new extension and get a re-entry permit before leaving.

If not you would have to start all over again because you would only get a visa exempt entry when your return because your re-entry permit would be expired.

Yes, renew before. These extensions give you a 30-day period in which to apply for re-extension, so effectively anytime from 17th June in your case.

Some immigration office will let you renew an extension up to 45 days early. As ubonjoe said do it before you leave.

Thanks. Will do before I go away.

TommyUK1960, on 27 Dec 2014 - 15:36, said:

Thanks. Will do before I go away.

Don't forget to get the re-entry permit while your there.

Some immigration office will let you renew an extension up to 45 days early. As ubonjoe said do it before you leave.

Yes I recently renewed my annual extension about 40 days early at Jomtien. No one questioned or commented on it despite rumors posted on TV that the limit there was now 30 days.

And as Ubonjoe said, don't forget to get a re-entry permit AFTER you get the new extension or you'll be back at square one when you return.

Edited December 27, 201411 yr by Suradit69

Did I read somewhere that theoretically you could do up to 90 days in advance? (But that was rarely the case in practice).