Shane bro you don't have a Thai bank account... But try and keep everything as simple as possible...if you have 6 month UK bank statements showing you have 500k thb equivalent and also maybe mortgage letter for your address in the UK?
Just literally gone across the friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand (Mekong river) and the crossing was easy... Thb200 one way via a bus....didn't need to pay any Laos exit fee
*****
kip(which I have read before some people had to pay) ....udon thani next stop...passport control was very easy
I think it's wherever you live... You don't generally have to apply from the country you live in (from my understanding) as long as you can provide proof of address...I read before that bank statements /utility bills were ok...I wouldn't think that 1 week hotel receipt would be accepted
I am flying to Laos today, and have my appointment at the Thai embassy tomorrow morning ... To be honest you don't really need an agency ..you can do it yourself...this group helped me a lot in getting paperwork correct etc