are chinese visas issued in thailand for canadians?

I am currently in the Philippines and contacted the Chinese embassy here but they told me I have to fly back to Canada to apply!! That is obviously very costly and time consuming. They said they are unaware of other countries policies which seems very strange. I can't be the first backpacker wanting to visit China that has not applied for a permit before I left my own country! Does the Chinese embassy issue the permits in bangkok for Canadians?