Hi, it was an issue leaving Bangkok flying into Lao with the airline. I would pay for the visa on arrival in Laos they require a passport photo, and pay a fee either in USD or Thai Baht, for the visa on arrival.
Yes of course I had enough funds to show in my bank account. However, the airline said, No I needed to get 10k baht in cash. So I did, I never had this experience. Which I thought was really weird.