Plenty of people have speculated about this becoming the case without any foundation. However, if it was going to happen anywhere Jomtien would be the place.
No. But you can send the documents to an agent, several in Bangkok and Pattaya, then they will submit the application. But you will have to send your current passport to them as well as other documents.
No. Depending on the package you buy you may or may not have included call time (to make or receive calls) minutes. If not you'll pay 25 baht/minute from your balance.
Banks have a standard letter that confirms you as the account holder and the balance on the day of the letter. I am guessing this is what they want, issued not more than 7 days prior.
I'd leave at 5. There will be hardly any traffic at all until Bangkok. And it's a holiday so even there it will be far less than normal. I'd take a look at Google maps on the 2 preceding days to see if there are any potential bottlenecks but I doubt anything significant.
That stopped years ago. It will be valid 10 years from date of issue. And there is no limit to how early you can apply., not that you actually have any reason to do so.
You mean PR? I have read that PR holders need not worry about a TM30 but given the whole TM30 system is a shambles it can hardly be predicted what an individual office might decide is needed.
It's possible but you'll have to come to Laos and apply for an e-visa while in the country. Then go to the embassy and pay for it then wait until they issue the visa which will not likely happen overnight.
A border run for a new entry (it's not an extension) might be better but to Laos you may still need to stay 2 nights in the country, not the worst thing you could do tbh.
Food to avoid, yes, anything nice! Fortunately once the drugs kick in that issue diminishes. Thai doctors always warn against chicken, something they never did in the UK.
I have taken it for years and in the beginning it took several weeks before it had an effect on my uric acid levels, did you do a blood test already? I take now 300mg once a day. No gout for years.