you can always apply for an Ed visa in Laos...Thai language classes are a gateway for that visa just visit a school to figure out the requirements and length of stay that you will want to attend...or if you have the money pay for the Elite visa and get up to 20 years of hassle free stay in Thailand
from what I can gather you can only get it in a country you are a resident in or you have a passport from, just like the 6 Month METV Visa...good luck there might be a consulate/Embassy that doesn't go by the rules though so look for that...
it goes live the moment they stick it in your passport...but don't worry you can still get 9 months out of the METV with tactical border bounces...good luck and get to Thailand ASAP