@Jean-Baptiste **********

Doesn't matter where you arrive from, no need for a ticket and no request for proof of accommodation when applying for the visa either.

@Andi **********

Generally, you don't come in for interviews once the e-visa system goes into effect. You are simply asked for more documentation via email or possibly phone call.

@Hans ****

I disagree. Hotels cost about the same as in Bangkok. 2000 NTD ish for a family room in a new, clean hotel without breakfast is perfectly affordable and that's what I paid. In Bangkok, a similar hotel will cost at least that amount too.

However, I'm not someone who slums along in a hostel, so I'm not even going to be looking for such places anywhere I travel.

I spoke in Mandarin with the staff there as well. My Chinese isn't so great, but good enough for a general conversation. I also had to come back to show additional banking documentation the next day, which I figured they might ask for (I should have brought it on day 1). Anyway, things went over smoothly the next day.

@Jean-Baptiste **********

for any visa that isn't a tourist visa and especially when applying from Vientiane, they don't ask for flight tickets into Thailand. Considering Vientiane is 20km from Thailand via the Friendship Bridge, presuming one would fly to Thailand is a bit ridiculous. Different story if you're in America, Australia or Europe of course.

@Siggi ******

You can do a very limited number of things, that I'm aware of but it needs to be behind the scenes.

@Charles *********

Well, I went to another consulate and got it. Basically, Vientiane is OK if you've got the funds sitting in your account for a long time as that's all they seem to care about.

@Siggi ******

You can't hire Europeans to do menial labor in Thailand either. You're risking their future in Thailand by doing so. It's ILLEGAL.

I know you don't need a work permit to work online for a foreign entity and can do so on any visa.

Not what I was talking about, but people like you can't read and thus invent their own words and get angry by something others didn't even say.

@Siggi ******

You're confused.

I was talking about a BUSINESS. You need a work permit to do anything inside a BUSINESS.

You can do whatever you want at home, including a rented home.

@Andi **********

I'm not sure they were ever "easy" as such. I don't think they ever approved a DTV for someone with a single dental cleaning. They are more by the book, but relatively reasonable in general.