How different is a student visa?

[thailen]

My filipina wife has a one-year student visa  (from a Thai university) which she attended and graduated in May. The visa expires September 15th. Can she leave for Laos to pick up a 30 or 60 day extension or is her visa such that she can't return, even for 30 days? What makes a Thai student visa different? This is critical, since she has applied for a CR-1 marriage visa to the U.S. and her interview isn't until October 3rd.

What are her options to convert or extend her visa?

[ubonjoe]

I am certain she has a one year extension of stay issued by immigration not a non-ed visa issued by a an embassy or consulate.

I she leaves the country her extension will not longer be valid.

She could do a border hop to get a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended for 30 days at a immigration office.

Or she could go to a nearby embassy or consulate  to apply for a single entry tourist visa that will allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.