Can I leave Thailand for a few days to Laos and then return to extend my non-O visa, or do I need to fly out of Thailand?

Hi. Look at the web site https://piv-phuket.com/retirement If you have any questions you can contact the Phuket Immigration Volunteers on If you have any questions you can contact the Phuket Immigration Volunteers on piv.information@gmail.com When you get your retirement extension don't forget to buy a multiple re-entry permit to allow to you go out and into Thailand more than once in a year. You can get that at Immigration Blue Tree, but the retirement extension is only available in Phuket Town (I think). Good luck and best wishes.

Yes you can do that

There is no option for a 30 day extension on that visa BUT you can get a 60 day extension for purposes of "visiting Thai family" at your local immigration office as you are married to a Thai

Gå på imigrasjonen å fiks det, enklest og lettest

Yes that is ok. I will do the same.

Assuming you get your 1yr extension in January, you will need to purchase a reentry permit from immigration. No need for visa exempt entry unless you want to invalidate your non-o.