Ah, in that case I'm sure that every law-abiding US citizen fills out a separate I-9 every time they go help their family do some yard work, as that's working under the table... I mean, come on. At a certain point it just becomes a bit silly.
How far do we take this line of reasoning? If you help a Thai person pick up a motorcycle that fell over and they give you 20 baht, is that now work? If you visit a friend and help them clean their apartment in exchange for them buying dinner, is that work? I simply don't consider volunteering to qualify as work, and I don't think immigration officials should be in the business of trying to screw well-meaning people over. It's far better to be kind.
What a ridiculous scenario. All the immigration officials involved who chose to read the law that narrowly should be taken to the hospital to surgically remove the sticks from their asses. Unbelievable.
I know that, and I wouldn't expect them to show me around Laos (I've been many times and need absolutely no assistance). I just want to be sure I'll be able to cross when I'm ready to return.
Do you have any recommendations for agents? I'd like to do Nong Khai, but I want to visit Laos for a bit before returning (as I've never been to Luang Prabang)