What are the recent rules for canceling a work visa in Thailand before leaving?

<update> I successfully cancelled my visa, while still working, last date that my employer stated on the letter is my visa’s last date, 2 weeks in the future.

See my reply below! <end of update>

Question for Tod and others.

I am leaving my job at the end of my contract, this week. But, our visa admin at the school has said that there is a new policy to canceling the visa. It’s the exact opposite of how I’ve previously done it. So, I wanted to ask for input.

Previously: cancel work permit, take the little graph to immigration, cancel visa, must leVe by midnight.

Office staff now say: you NEED to take your work permit to immigration with a letter and cancel <edit for clarity> *the visa extension*, in advance. She says it can be done up to 20 days in advance, and whatever date is in the letter, it is the date they will pre-cancel it to. <as your last permitted day to stay>(???).

Last day of work is Friday. Payday is Saturday. I fly out on Monday. Currently have a 1 yr extension and an unused re-entry permit. 1 year left on my current passport. I don’t plan to be in Thailand for the foreseeable future.

Any RECENT experience that matches what my school admin says. They want me to go to immigration this week.