Should just pay the 20 bht for a Thai pass for wife, it is painless, my wife has a passport, but it is pointless using it.
The minimum Laos visa on entry now is 2000bht, or $40 US, which works out 1,365 baht.
The Consulate gates are locked for business at 11am, before that they let in about 20 at a time, locking the gate each time.