I usually fly from Bangkok and there are some nice early flights that get you there with plenty of time, it also helps to print the visa on arrival form off for Laos so you can avoid the first queue at window 1!
Got mine open at Bangkok bank, had to go to several different branches before one finally relented. Tried telling me I had to buy expensive insurance to get it open but that wasn't the case. This was for a basic savings account. The card is union pay so next to useless unless you are just withdrawing cash!