Sadly
@Pierre ********
, It appears it's more of a you didn't do your research BEFORE you started down the "get a visa" route.
You are right post covid things have changed, but there is ample info on the inter-web about the changes.
The thai consulate at Savannakhet is a walk up consulate, apply one day in the morning, get the passport back the next day in the afternoon.
And the eVisa site says it can take 5 to 15 days to get approved and there was no reason to wait until close to your flight to apply for the visa, the shortest validity of any visa sold (tourist or single entry Non-Imm) is 3 months from the date it's issued <- meaning there's no down side to applying early