Is the one year O visa still available from embassies in a person's own country?
A friend of mine had one for years ( He referred to it as a "vanilla O visa") but last year his lawyer said they weren't being issued anymore but now I see that the health insurance requirement applies to O-A visas and it was mentioned that the O visa was obtained in your home country.
He lives in Laos and needs to come here occasionally to see his doctor.
What's his best option now?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The one-year O visa, often referred to as the 'vanilla O visa,' may still be available at Thai embassies depending on the local policies. There are recent discussions regarding health insurance requirements that affect holders of O-A visas, but clarification is needed on whether similar rules apply to the O visa. For someone like your friend living in Laos who needs to visit Thailand regularly, it may be prudent to check with the nearest Thai embassy for the latest visa options and requirements.