Nobody knows what the rejection rate is. The embassies aren't telling us Even if the rates changed year to year, we wouldn't know why either.

The DTV could work very well for you indeed. The bigger questions are if you apply as a remote worker or for "soft power" classes. Secondly, do you want to use an agent or apply on your own? Thirdly, do you have a chance to go to a friendly embassy where the visa is probably issued quickly, or somewhere else?

There is nothing to stop you from getting a DTV through Muay Thai or cooking classes, then studying the language. I recommend using an agent.

Jakarta is not where you want to detour for a potential interview.

You pretty much answered your own question.

Anonymous participant Did you go to Vientiane after that experience, or stayed in Nong Khai? I don't think this is related to having a DTV, did they check?

Anonymous participant yes, 70 baht at Nong Khai station.

Late last year, an Australian citizen was told to fly out of Thailand from Bangkok. So he doubled back and had to buy a last minute ticket. A smoother exit is by the short train to Vientiane. It's only twice a day though.

Anonymous participant This is a recent YouTube comment:

"We tried to visit Lao in january, we were told by a very angry looking border agent that we did'nt need to visit Lao and to stay in Thailand, he said we could go but might have problems getting back in.

I was with my 70yo mother my Thai wife and 3 elderly Thai family members, my mother and i were on tourist visa valid for another 4 weeks and we had return flights booked to Amsterdam in 2 weeks, but i wasn't about to argue my way out of the country so we spent the afternoon in Nong Khai and went home."

Feel free to PM