for the income verification?

Thank you Tony, I read your post and it prompted me to ask the group because I didn't want the same experience. I will stick to Vientiane. Good luck man, I will send positive vibes!

That should be no problem I believe, 20K Baht in Thai bank account, Onward flight leaving Thailand in 60 days, and address/copy of lease of my apartment here in Chiang Mai. I was hoping to make a few days trip to Penang, Malaysia with the girlfriend for the tourist visa and then go up to Vientiane, Laos once I have my Self Defense Visa and making another few days trip with her there in February 2019 :)

🙏 Thank you Mr. Daniels!

Today when I applied for my residency certificate they turned away a guy in front of me because he didn't have his TM30. I would say yes, it's pretty important :)

Thank you, Tod. I read the rate is about 500 Baht for next day processing. I may do that and save myself the delay :)

Education Visa is pretty simple solution, after 2 years ago, I ditched the tourist visa option and wanted something more secure.

I second this, Laos is a 2-3 days stay tops and it's very reliable.