What are the steps and recommendations for getting a tourist visa to Thailand from Vietnam?

We actively block agents on this forum as the vast majority are out to scam you, charging thousands of baht to do stuff that you can do yourself fairly easily. There are some legitimate reasons why people use an agent but that’s generally when they can’t meet the requirements for the visa they want and the agent will arrange an “under the table” visa/extension for them for a price. We don’t advocate that option as it’s a very grey area legally (actually pretty black and white illegal). Some do it. We just won’t recommend it.

Whilst I understand the thought process of using an agent to aide your process of getting through the necessary paperwork I doubt they can offer too much to the table for the amount you’d pay them. Yes they will fill out forms and hand hold you through the process but generally it’s very basic stuff and for a native English speaker very straight forward. The steps are outlined (as in the link I posted for Hanoi). As for visa options you have a few choices depending on your age and the amount of time you’re expecting to stay in country. Under 50 you either get a tourist visa via the embassy and get 60 days to stay on arrival or as a UK citizen you don’t buy a visa at all and come visa exempt for 45 days. Over 50 and you have the option of a Non O visa which will give you 90 days on arrival. All options still require you to do all the necessary stuff to get the CoE. If you’re planning on staying longer all options have the ability to be extended in country but the Non O will be dependant on showing the correct finances in a Thai bank. If you’re not sure about any of the above processes then by all means ask here. The answer you get will (generally) be from people who have either done the process themselves or are very knowledgeable about the whole process and the various options available.

an agent for what?

ThaiLegalCentre.com 👍🏻

What are you needing an agent for? Helping you get a Thai visa from the Vietnam embassy or helping you get a longer term visa once you’re in Thailand? If the former check out requirements here. -tourist-visa?page=5d7de15d15e39c01bb9&menu=5d7de15d15e39c01bba Also why use an agent? The stuff needed is relatively basic for a native English speaker to do by themselves and can save you a good few thousand Baht.

Decent ?? That's subjective.