Difficulties with getting visa sorted from Bangkok

Hey guys, I went out to the embassy today at about 2 and they told me that they only opened from 9 until 11.30 am! Did you guys have any luck? What worries me even more is the list of documents it seems you need to get a tourist visa. They need entry and exit flights, laid out itinerary, insurance info, docs proving enough money etc. Seems a bit much! You guys know any different? Any help you can offer would be much appreciated. Perhaps if we share the workload a bit here it might help! Thanks, Emmet (from Ireland)