@Will ********

it's a bit shocking to read that you've been resident of a country or region for a decade yet don't know what paperwork or documents are given in that country to indicate residency. You keep blaming the Thai consulate instead of you not understanding the rules for residency in wherever you are living. It's not their job to tell you how Laos or Cambodia will consider you legally a resident so that you qualify to apply for a visa from the Thai consulate there. If you've just been using tourist visas to stay extended periods in various countries, then you are by definition a tourist and not a resident of those countries. It's pretty much common sense.

No one is playing games and no one is looking for a bribe, as you claim. A consulate's job is not to advise you how to become a resident of whatever country you are in at the moment. Why blame them when you don't seem to know the residency rules of wherever you are? As others pointed out, the requirement is not unusual in any way. You just decided to be indignant and expect them to handhold you.

Yes, it is a common connection and they do hold the plane for you unless your plane is severely delayed. Also, the incoming long haul flight almost always arrives significantly earlier than the scheduled arrival time, so that 1 hour connection actually gives you more like 75-80 minutes. I've done it many times and learned that I don't even have to run like a madman to make it.

@Daniel ********************

untrue. Depends on whether the specific transiting country has such a requirement. For example, Japan does not for transit passengers. I believe most countries don't require this for transit.

@Dimitri *******

If you are American: here's a screenshot from the Thai consulate in Washington DC showing quite clearly that Americans enter via Visa Exempt entry. Note that the 30 day visa exempt entry has currently been extended temporarily to 45 days for entries through end of March to encourage tourism. I just realised you aren't the OP. The OP wrote he was scrambling in Taipei. If that is where he lives, the Thai consulate there (Thailand Representative Office, to be technical to skirt around the Chinese sovereignty issue) also clearly shows that USA passport holders qualify for visa exempt entry, not visa on arrival, as shown on this page that is linked on their official website by clicking the Visa section, then the submenu option "Countries Entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa On Arrival". Did you check that link?: เอกสาร/VOA.pdf

@Dimitri *******

what website were you on? Plenty of very clear websites for the Thai Consulates in English speaking countries.

@Dimitri *******

no, you must have assumed your entry method is Visa on Arrival, which is incorrect. Less than 20 nationalities enter Thailand on Visa On Arrival, primarily Chinese and Indians. Americans and most other nationalities enter Thailand via Visa Exempt entry which has totally different entry requirements and rules

The online info wasn't incorrect. You simply didn't understand that Americans don't enter Thailand via visa on arrival. They arrive via visa exempt entry. The two entry schemes have completely different rules and stay lengths allowed. You scrambled because you were following visa on arrival rules which have never applied to USA passport holders.

There is no such thing as an international drivers license. Only international drivers permits exist, and you can only get one from whatever country your existing drivers licence is from, by the official authority that is designated to issue them for that country. In the case of wanting an IDP for a Thai driver's license, it would be DLT. If you're trying to get it for your foreign license, you'd have to do back to that country to get one.

@Bruce ********

there is no 45 day visa. If you just show up in Thailand with your passport,, US passport holders are among the nationalities that qualify for visa exempt entry, meaning you are exempt from needing a visa and are simply stamped in for 45 days. This is NOT A 45 day visa. You are admitted for 45 days despite not having a visa because you are qualified to be exempt from needing one.