Thank you for this. I became wary of using the consulate in Penang after hearing stories of applications being rejected there, despite fulfilling all of the visa requirements. If that is the best option, I can go there, and I can show 100k baht or more in a Thai bank. I do intend to extend the Non-O for a year once I'm in Thailand, and I know of the financial requirements for that.

I would still be very interested in hearing whether anyone has successfully applied for this type of visa in Hanoi, as I will already be traveling there for other reasons. Also, I want to make sure that there isn't anything else I may need to show. Proof of accommodations in Thailand, medical certificate, criminal background check, that sort of thing. I know some of these are required for some types of visa.