I've got both a Non O and a Non B from Penang without any hassles but I've been there 5 times already. This time I'm looking for a change of scenery to get my NON O (based on marriage to a Thai). My questions are...

Is it really that hard to obtain a visa in Vientiane or Phnom Phen?

For what reasons could I be refused my NON O?

Is Khota Bharu in Malaysia a better option?

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

I went to Vientiane and got a 3-month single Non-O quite easy. I didn't need a Multi 12-month as the Visa was going to be extended for my Work Permit.

I used a visa agent from the hotel in Nonk Khai, and just sat in a coffee shop and did some shopping for the day. It cost me about 12,000 baht for that same-day service. I needed to be back in Bangkok the next day, so the 12,000 wasn't an issue, rather the visa.

The agent did say you can't get a 12-month Multi from Vientiane.

Hope that helps

^ I think both PP and Veintienne are hard (for multi's), personally I'd stick with Penang (maybe Khota Baru....but why risk it if you know Penang is a definite???).