@Greta ****
it's issued digitally if you go to a country where the Thai embassy has adopted the e-visa system. But the Thai embassy in Laos has not. All applications are done in person and you must have an appointment.
If you go somewhere with evisa then you are required to remain in that country from when you apply for your visa until the visa is issued. It's exactly the same as if you filed in person, except you do it online. There have been many reports recently of people that applied for a visa and then a few days later were asked for proof that they are still in the country.