Was hoping to go to Laos to get an ED visa with multiple re-entry (I work offshore so it is a must). Does anyone know of any consulates in the vicinity (KL, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, etc) that will give this type of visa? Also what is the usual time frame for the processing of these? Cheers and thanks for all the help.

A muliple Ed-visa is normally not issued in the region. You are expected to apply for a single and once in Thailand to extend your stay at immigration with documents of the school.

Many people working ofshore don't stay longer than 30 days and just travel without a visa.

About your only choice for the multiple entry ED would be to go home and get it from one of the honorary Thai consulates (Brisbane is one).

Cheers guys thanks very much. I work 3 months on 3 months off so looking to do the long term visa whilst also learning thai. Guess I will just have to head home and take the time there

Does anyone happen to know (approx of course) the length of time it takes to get one in Australia?

It depends upon where you apply. The embassy and consulate in Sydney can take several days from info posted.

Suggest you contact one of the honorary consulates listed here: http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/consulate.html

An alternative is a Tourist Visa. A single entry will give you 60 days and an option to go to your local immigration and get a 30 day extension for a total 90 days. Get a new one at the closest Thai embassy to where you work, and since they are generally produced on an overnight basis, they're least amount of hassle. You may even be able to get a course discount if the school doesn't have to do the usual ton or paperwork to help you get an ED Visa.