@Tod ********

Cheers...if I did get it then it would be probably be the last one for a time as I am planning to try my luck in Vietnam looking for teaching work around Feb/March.

Thanks Tod....having no red stamp so far I am assuming luck might be on my side..cheers!

Good post...forget Penang, forget Phnom Penh, forget Hong Kong.......and looking good, KL, Vientiane and Savannakhet.

This is my favourite guesthouse in Sav. It might be 3 kms from the consulate but it's in a good part of town. In Thai money it's about 300 for a fan room, I'm sure they have air-con (pay a bit more), free wifi, and free banana and coffee in the morning. The owner is a very nice fellow, after about my third visit there he gave me a lift to the consulate to pick up my passport. They also have two or three bicycles for hire (pay peanuts). It's also close to a great baguette shop, and close to the Maekhong (night markets and eats down there).

@Tod ********

I have never been asked for proof of funds at Sav (even though it might be an official requirement there) but I give them proof of onward travel, a flight out of Thailand and of course that address in Thailand, so find a good Thai friend who can offer you that address and contact number. I even chuck in a Police Clearance certificate from Australia (whether they need it or not)>

I have had about 7 T Visas from Laos (Vientiane and Savannakhet) over the last 2 years, though one of those visas is in my new passport...try Sav, it's quiet, the consulate gets about a third of the crowd you get at the Laos capital, and it's a lot cheaper than Vientiane also.

The Douang Praseuth hotel is about 200 metres down the road from the Thai consulate..it's a good choice, free breakfast, wifi, big clean rooms and quiet, I think it was around 700 bt...you can book it through Agoda.

I have been in Thailand for two and a bit years on mostly TVs, you will have no problem with 6 months, a visit to Vientiane, a visit to Savannakhet, a visit to KL, that's 180 days and you could get extensions of 30 days at your local imm office.

The consulate at Vientiane has improved out of sight...turning up midweek is best, you can be out in no time and over on the Nong Khai side of the border by 3.30- 4.00 pm.

If you get to the consulate early to pick up your passport (30-40 minutes prior), you will be out in under 10 minutes and can walk another 10 minutes to the bus station and get the 2.30 international bus to Mukdahan...saves any dramas. As for hotels, a good reliable cheapie is Savan Pattana g/house, 300 (fan), 400 (air), good wifi and free coffee and banana in the morning, bike hire, and a fridge full of Beer Lao int he foyer.. run by a very nice family.,I have stayed there several times now.