How long should I stay in Laos before returning to Thailand after applying for a Thai visa?

The visa application processing time at the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane is generally 3 working days, though you can often collect your visa 2 days after submitting your application. If you submit your application on a Monday, for example, you could potentially collect it on Wednesday. However, since weekends and holidays are not counted as working days, it is essential to factor those in when planning your return. Based on recent experiences from others, it seems safe to book your return flight after confirming your visa status on or after the 2-day mark since submission.