'lo all, since I'm slightly strapped for time, I'll keep this short.

I'm currently stranded in laos (where I came to get a student visa for thailand), because the thai embassy here wants an invitation inviting the school I'm attending in thailand to get a visa at that embassy, signed by the school (fax/photocopy is okay).

has anyone ever come up against anything like this before? it's the only piece of paper I'm missing, and everybody I describe this to is baffled by it. I have an invitation (to myself) from the school to study there and everything... what is this?

What does your letter say in detail?

The Thai embassy in Vientiane is notorious for being a bit, ehh... difficult.

With it being one of the nearby embassies, I guess they have to deal with a lot of dodgy applications, but they do seem to make up their own requirements...

Better bite the bullett and get the letter they requested.

Sounds strange to me.

For employment the letter to the prospective employee it sufficient,

I would have thought the same would apply for education.

I assume your letter is on Headed notepaper?

I suggest you ask the school for a letter, addressed to the Thai Embassy/Consulate stating.

"This is to confirm that (your name and passport number) has been accepted to study (some details) at our school, from (date) to (date).

We will be please give him/her your assistance to obtain the necessary Study Visa".

Something along these lines should suffice.