@Alexander ********
This is not an official statement, it’s from the Thai Embassy in Oslo Norway, and the embassy in London is equal. Normally an air ticket is your safest bet, but based on feedbacks I know someone is allowed with a bus ticket without any questions, some after some discussion, but some are also denied. If you would go for just a bus ticket I would suggest you printed or saved this from the embassy in Norway and showed to the airline staff if any questions asked.
Now there’s also a direct train from Bangkok to Vientiane.
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