Arrived at the consulate shortly after 08.00 and the waiting room was already full (200+ people).

Despite this I was out of there about 40 minutes after it opened (08.30). Very slick operation there.

A couple next to me were caught out because they had booked a return flight for today, not realising that you have to collect your visa in the afternoon of the day following your application. They should have read Ubon Joe's tips first!

That's a lot of people :) We woke up at around that time (8:00) in Mukdahan when we went to Savan on the 20th. Although I had to queue for some 15 mins, paperwork was handed in by 11:30