@Lyle ********

Yes, if it's some cheap dump in a small town or rural area.

Choose some random border town or something.

@Biff ******

Yes, but it doesn't make sense. If they want accommodation proof, fine, but they shouldn't insist on such a long period. 1 night should be enough.

@Bernie *******

The system told me otherwise. Anyway, I don't really care as I'm not going to use Laos. I might if I could wait until late November, but I can't wait that long...

@Jack ******

Don't ask me, ask the OP. I'm answering his question.

@Kieran ******

Absolutely. The e-visa system is designed for that. You just have to be in the country you apply, no need to travel to the city the consulate is located in.

@Tim **********

They told me the same, but I think after the initial high workload, processing times will be reduced to a more reasonable length of time.

@Martino ******

Something like that. When I made the appointment, it said I can't cancel, have to wait until after the appointment date to make a new one.

@Bernie *******

Really? The system told me that I can't cancel. Have to wait until after the appointment date has elapsed. They used to allow cancellations but the whole system was being abused by agents (same in Yangon).

HCMC on the other hand allows cancellations.

@Martino ******

Aha yeah in that case get yourself to Jakarta! It happens to be closer to where you are than Laos anyway.

Even Taipei wouldn't be that much further from KL compared to Vientiane or Savannaket, but Jakarta is great too. No appointment needed either but again, go soon.

E-visa coming shortly!

@Martino ******

No problem at most consulates and while Vientiane might be OK with it if you can document it came from your business account it's a bit iffy.

I like Laos as a country a lot but I wouldn't insist on going there for a visa. The staff at the Thai embassy are among the least friendly in the region.

Another reason I like going to Laos is that I can drive there with my own car, which I do each and every time I visit Laos. It saves me money, I have my own transport once I'm there and I feel superheroic driving a car with foreign plates there (OK maybe not, but it's kinda cool). I know my way around and can get to the Thai consulate without needing to use any GPS.

However, even so, I am not waiting until November to apply for my visa. I'll be jumping on a plane to Taiwan and exploring what for me will be a new country as I haven't visited there since I was a toddler and making a bit of a trip out of it.

Always nice to see a new country.