What precautions should I take when applying for a new SETV in Cambodia considering recent visa strictness?

I think that likely

@Kevin *****

The girl at my place did.....but she was young and with limited English.

Exactly.

This was from the girl at the travel agency.....not an official so who knows? I was sort of surprised too.

The agent my Son used sorted out onward travel, and hotel, at no cost. He had proof of $.

I find Savannakhet the best. No need to be right on time at 9 am when it opens, it's the next day that you should get there half an hour or so before pick up time (wait under the shade at the shop across the road). Half the crowd you get at Vientiane, and seems more relaxed and less strict. Need a room, 300-400 baht, the Savan Patthana guesthouse on Sena Road, 020 556 (3 kms south of the consulate) is a very good choice, no, I don't get a commission but the owners are real good people, the manager has even given me a lift to the consulate a couple of times to pick up my passport. You even get a free banana and coffee in the morning, ha!, ha! Yes, avoid Penang, from all reports getting nastier but KL may be an option. I was there a year or so ago, didn't have proof of onward travel, they told me to go across the road to a hotel and book a ticket there, did just that, brought the copy of the ticket back and no problems, just remember to wear clean and respectable clothes (there is a sign inside saying just that, so no singlets, beach attire) and you will be fine.

Nope, an extra day to enjoy as tourist there.