it's because in your home country, you cannot get 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O family visa any more. Only the single entry 90 days Non-Imm-O visa type. Savannakhet is, together with Rangun (Myanmar) the LAST Thai consulate to issue multi-entry family visa. It isn't even mentioned on their website - you have to ask them when you visit them
if you are aiming for change from a visa-exempt entry to the 90-days Non-IMM- O retirement visa, click om number 9 for the requirements . . check here:
Graham, he wants to apply for the "change of visa type" from a visa exempt entry to a 90-days Non Imm O visa. A "30-days tourist extension" is not the correct approach .. . google "change of visa type Thai immigration" and you will find the answer
yeah, "grease the wheels" with an agent, bribe Immigration to look the other way. Of course there are a few illegal methods. Thank you for your insight