the visa to enter Laos is $40 USD for most countries. If you pay in baht you are overcharged on the exchange rate.
One "potential" trap is they ask how long you are staying in Laos. I suggest you give some amount of time in days. That way you avoid any phony scams about fees for short term visitors. I even ran into that at a remote Cambodian crossing.
Oh, and the Laos border collects 100 baht from Thais leaving to return home. So if a Thai companion accompanies you expect that.
I'm in agreement. It's just TOO easy and after getting shut down applying for the medical DTV in Savannakhet it is clear embassies are being vague and arbitrary.
OK that explains my financial adventures at the Savannakhet Consulate and why they wanted to see my financial accounts on my tablet...."credibility and verifiability".
BTW had I not had a Laos Sim card I could not have accessed the internet at the window. Be prepared.
I used a brokerage account from the US. Indeed they did have me log into my account. I can't access that account from my phone hence returning with the tablet.
I initially used my personal retirement account balance letter. It had a multi year history but it was inadequate.
I don't think they truly understand financial accounts very well.