My existing extension ends on 23^rd December.

I am however leaving Thailand in early December and will not return until early January which implies that –

1. I must apply for my extension renewal early, and
2. I get a re-entry permit.

For sake of certainty –

1. My understanding is that I can apply for the extension renewal 30 days early. Yes?
2. Assuming this to be the case, can I confirm that the extension renewal period will follow on from the last extension end date, ie. 23^rd December. In other words, that it will not start from the earlier "issue date" of sometime in early December.

The point of the question is to know whether to get a single-entry re-entry permit for the current annual extension, which is “valid until” 23^rd December. Or to get a multiple-entry re-entry permit, in expectation of other trips out of Thailand in year 2016, meaning that the renewed annual extension would commence from the "issue date", as opposed to 23rd December.

.

Thanks in anticipation.

You can apply up to 30 days early or 45 days at some immigration offices.

Your new extension will start from when your current extension ends. Which means the new extension would end on December 23rd 2016.

You need to get a re-entry permit after you get your new extension. If you got one before then it would it only be valid until your current extension ends.