I was able to change from retirement to marriage within Thailand your are not changing the visa just basis of which the extension is granted at renewal time
You're annual extension of stay needs to be done whilst you are in Thailand. Letting it lapse whilst outside voids your visa and you start all over again
As a result of migrating more than a few times I have had to obtain police clearance from Canada, Thailand & Australia in each case ID is required and sometimes fingerprints. Privacy laws exist for various reasons