Ian you're making the same mistake I made (although you being a relative newbie at least have an excuse! ????)
I did the same as you, in UK, but, one applies to the Embassy where one is currently situated - in our case London, in the case of the OP, Vientiane whose requirements may be different. Although one applies online, it seems to be up to individual Embassies / Consulates to set certain rules / requirements.