Looking at the fares on BKK-NCL-BKK on EF, the economy fares all seem to state
Code:
TRAVEL FROM LAST INTERNATIONAL STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE
NO LATER THAN 12 MONTHS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE
ORIGIN.
I have never seen turnaround point mentioned in max stay where stopovers are permitted
There are very few tickets which allow > 12 months validity and none of the normal public fares I have seen of EK have allowed it
I suggest that the friend may be interpreting the rules in a manner that appeals to him rather than stating the rules as published
Dave