Yes. One must renew before the old one expires. You can do that up to 14 days prior (though the time might be different depending upon your local office). Or you can fly out and come back in.
Or just take a Christmas holiday trip for a week or so to Singapore which is fun over the holidays and then re enter and depending on what country on an exempt for 30 days renewable.
well that is true.... if they are following the rules and not applying their own discretion. To say cannot in Thailand especially is dependent upon many factors. However... you are right on general and i certainly would not advise taking the chance. Going through an agent given that many embassies and consulates do not offer an income affidavit any longer.
Yes you can. Depending upon your home country you may not be able to get a "letter" asking Thai Immigration to transfer the visa from the old to the new. But that should not be a problem. Renewing a US Passport from overseas takes about 6 weeks. Plan on that length of time.... though it might be qicker.