thank for the simple explanation. So, for now, I guess, my choices would be to pay an agent or get a 30 day extension and next time I'm in NYC get a one year retirement visa from the Thai Consulate.
I've had multiple extensions over the past 12 years and I brought my expired passport as proof. I will say that I'm not applying for a continuation of an about to expire extension. When I asked why the answer was "to stop corruption". Lol.