Can I apply for an extension on my O Visa earlier than 30 days before its expiry date?

I asked this same question last week but it was not posted by admin.

I was however given the reply by them that 1 year is only the maximum so it might be possible to ask for less.

I have since found out it is possible to request the IO to stamp you less than 12 months and that they will do it.

As with many things when it comes to IO offices though it might be different at other offices , this was at Jomtien.

Having the correct extention date is important when stating the proces of getting a non O visa. Starting wrong means your extention date will be the wrong date forever. It can not be moved or altered in any way. Sometimes its better to start all over again with a good planning to make sure the extention date will be in a period you will most likely be in Thailand every year. Taken in to account that the 30 to 45 days period in advance to extend your stay gives you some limited flexability.

As far as I know extensions can only be done in Thailand. At least, the Thai embassy in Belgium told me so. Correct?

Most offices will allow you to apply when you have 30 days or less left on your stamp BUT applying early doesn't change the expiration date at all because the new year extension is ADDED to the current expiration.

You can ASK your immigration office when you go in for your extension next year IF they will issue it for less than a year (they CAN do it if they want to because the wording says "extensions will be issued for no more than 1 year") BUT that's between you and them.

If they won't do it you're right, you let it lapse, figure out the dates and start over from scratch to get a renewal date that better suits you