No there is not another city more lenient as it is up to the American Embassy in Thailand to grant a visa or not. Unfortunately your friend being ill has no bearing on a visa. Good luck.
what bs. Bangkok Bank used to list it as a Foreign Transfer. The other way they are doing it now started in August. I don't know why Bangkok Bank decided to use another Thai Bank but it seems shady to me.
the problems are usually self made. Different Immigration Offices may require additional documentation. If people would go to the office and get the requirements it would reduce the problems on the first time. People only have problems if they don't follow the previous years financial requirements.