i have a single entry tourist visa,

date of issue 13/1

enter before 12/4

i entered Thailand on the 22/1 and have permission to stay until the 22/3

how soon before the 22/3 can i apply for the 30 day extension? can i do it now or does it have to be within 30 days?

thanks

You can't do it now. You should apply within the last week or so of your permit to stay.

Based on my own experiences last year (Bangkok - May 2015 and Sept 2015) within your last 30 days (half way through your permission of stay).

So starting 22 Feb.

I'd go starting 25 Feb maybe to be on the safe side.

Edited February 14, 201610 yr by lkv

there is no rush to do it, the last 7 days is always a good idea, set your phone for a reminder.

My SETV expired 13/2/16. I went to Jomtien on 8/2/16 and IO told me I was too early and go back on 11th or 12th!!

In the past I hear of people going up to 2 weeks prior but I guess it alters at the drop of a hat!

The safest bet is to apply in the last week or so but even that's not guaranteed as Walter Travolta confirms. Anyone wanting to apply more the 14 days in advance is best advised to contact the office they are applying at first, especially if they need to make a long journey or sit in a queue for hours.

Edited February 14, 201610 yr by elviajero

Well Chaengwatthana had no problem doing it 28 days before expiry twice last year for me. If I remember correctly I did ask the IO one time a long time ago and she said 30 days. But yeah, what was valid in 2015 may change in 2016.

Jomtien all I have heard so far is tea money on ED visas and TM30 forms. If the OP wants to extend there or in some other province maybe, it's advisable closer to the date I guess.

Edited February 14, 201610 yr by lkv