Thanks for your response, Robert. I see what you mean... Do you think if I fly out with an old passport and show a completely new in Vientiane it will not help to get the visa 7 days earlier? I know about linked passports but maybe it is still not available in the embassies outside Thailand.
My school recommends Vientiane or Savannakhet only for getting ED visa and all our students go there. In terms of Savannakhet as far as I heard from other people, after consul was replaced a couple of years ago it becomes harder to get any kind of visas there so I wouldn't risk even if I do everything legally and have all required documents.
(I have about 4 or 5 back-to-back 1-year ED visas in total)
