@Brandon ***********
it's been over 10 years that I've been visiting Thailand so this is my experience of the process.
i used to be able to show up at a consulate almost anywhere in the world that i was posted and get a visa within a 48hour period, in fact, at the London Embassy, i could get a 6 month multi entry in the space of 2 weekdays.
This is my second time applying for a 6 month multi entry using the online process.
The first time took 22 days and they gathered a tremendous amount of data on me including financial statements and a detailed planned itinerary.
This time, they required far less documentation from me plus $240 CAD because that's the Embassy assigned to handle applications from my country.
This is a service that people are paying for yet I have not had any feedback other than it could be expected to be completed within 25 working days from the date of the application.
I have had to cancel flights and accommodation which have put me further out of pocket. I have since replanned my trip to visit Vietnam which is lovely as well, even had a Halong bay cruise and sampled the Weasel coffee but each day hope that I'll have a visa tomorrow so that i could get some part of my break on my favourite island scuba diving and enjoying the serenity.
So yeah, everyone's experience is different.
Mine is shit