For some reason I decided to buy a ticket to Laos leaving on Thursday night, so even if I got there and applied in the morning I would have to stay over the weekend to pick it up on the Monday.

Do you think I should book accommodation online before I go, or is it easy to find a cheap room in Vientiane for about 500bht per night?

Also, if they process it on the Friday I might lose two days before I pick it up, so should I just wait to apply on Monday and collect on the Tuesday?

Cheers

It is up to you whether to apply on Friday or on Monday.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If I recall correctly they don't issue the visa until the date you pick it up at the embassy.

It won't matter, your days start when you cross the border. Cross on monday after picking it up, or wait another night and cross on tues

No need to book ahead for accommodation.

I use Lako guest house 5 minutes walk from the embassy and 500 baht a nigh.

No need to prebook accomdation. I would not stay near the consulate. Stay on the river, loads of GH's and hotels. Restaurants cafes and life. Very pleasant. Less than 2 km from the cinsulate.

Don't apply on Monday, because it's always packed with visa applicants. Apply on Friday, it'll be nice and quiet, you'll be in and out in 15 minutes and Vientiane along the Mekong is a nice town to stay the weekend.

This was posted on the Bangkok Expats page on Facebook today: "Brace yourself visa runners! Over 600 people in Vientiane Thai Embassy this morning, 5 hours wait! Thailand hit the jackpot with this new policy."

mental!