@David *******

The Thai embassy Vientiane website states it takes 15 days, which is much longer than most other embassies and consulates in the region.

I find that having to go into the embassy to make payment but still completing the application online as being far less convenient than doing everything, including making payment online.

Having said that, i got my DTV in person, at another embassy, paying in cash and I found this to be my preferred method of obtaining a visa.

Sadly, other than if you're called in for an interview, the old process is no longer allowed. You can't just walk in for a visa anywhere anymore as Thailand is committed to using the e-visa system from now on.

For Laos specifically you MUST pay for your visa in Baht. Unlike before Covid, it's very difficult to buy any foreign currency in Laos these days, due to government regulations. Moneychangers are not allowed to sell you foreign currency, not even at the land borders. At airports you may be able to purchase a small amount of foreign currency, by showing your passport and boarding pass, but that's it.

Banks might be able to sell you some currency as well, but may require proof of what you need it for. There may be other ways to acquire foreign currency, but it's rather tedious compared to how easy it is to purchase foreign currency with just your passport in Thailand.

Therefore, ensure you have the Baht in cash BEFORE departing for Laos and to be safe, bring more and keep this Baht separate from your spending money there. ATMs only dispense Kip (except for reportedly, one ATM up in the Golden Triangle SEZ, which dispenses both Baht and Yuan) but that's pretty far to go for a Thai Baht ATM withdrawal!

@David *******

The problem with flying on a one way ticket (into Laos for instance) without a visa is you could be refused a boarding pass. Now officially, Laos doesn't require outbound tickets, but some airlines might enforce it.

You're better off flying to Udon Thani (much cheaper and with more flights), then catching a cross-border bus or minivan to the border. Doesn't take that much longer and you are free to fly one way and take a train or bus the other way or whatever you want to do, without the possibility of being asked for an outbound ticket.

@David *******

It's required? I didn't mean you can leave the country - the website clearly states you can be in another PROVINCE of Laos while applying, but if an interview is required, then what is really going on is that the old in-person process continues, in a slightly different way and instead of a visa sticker, you received an emailed letter.

In other words, the Thai embassy in Vientiane needs to be more transparent and should tell applicants they need to be IN Vientiane when applying, they can't wait somewhere else, otherwise they won't be able to attend the compulsory interview, nor will they be able to make payment (although apparently payment can be made by someone else on your behalf).

@Paul ********

You can cross at any international border crossing. Locals only crossings are permitted only for citizens of the two countries which share the border.

You had an interview? I thought they were trying to make the process entirely online. That makes it difficult for those applying anywhere outside of Vientiane.

@Jeff *******

He meant extension. Semantics I guess.

@Thorsten ********

Normally they want to see a certificate of residency. A TM30 is not normally requested; although I've heard of some offices accepting it as an alternative to the certificate of residency.

Anonymous participant However, let me point out that with a DTV you MIGHT only receive a 2-year license each time you EXTEND it. MIGHT as in, it depends on the office you use.

Another one of these annoying things in Thailand, where each office interprets the rules differently.

Anonymous participant You definitely don't need a work permit to obtain a driver's license. That's complete nonsense. Also, normally, driving schools should make the process EASIER, not harder.

I did my 10-year Cambodian driver's license through a driving school there. They charged me $30 extra to obtain the Cambodian equivalent of a TM30 for me, as I wouldn't have any way of getting it on my own, not worth the trouble.

Now I did have to pass both a theoretical and practical test on my own volition, merely by going through them, I wouldn't have passed. Cambodia's test is much more difficult than the Thai driving test. The questions are badly translated and you can only get 5 questions wrong; the practical test involves a difficult three point turn between two poles. Hit the poles with any part of your vehicle or try to correct the maneover and it's an instant fail. Then there's the reverse parking, which is a little easier, but again, if you hit the kerb behind you, you fail (you are permitted to touch the kerb on the right and make a forward correction.

Now Cambodian visas are simpler than Thai ones, but I did need at least a 6-month E category extension. Only a 6 or 12 month one are eligible; tourist visa holders aren't allowed to apply for a Cambodian license.

However, they are much more transparent about the process than here. It's black and white. You need X visa to get it, there's no other way around it. It's not a case of, this person says this, and that person says that.