Okay, first off, is there something going on around the 6th-10th of November? I can't get flights to Penang or Kuala Lumpur. I live in Phuket and my visa runs out on the 8th. I need to do an ED visa, but I don't know where to go. If I fly to Bangkok, how hard is it to get into Laos by land? How long is that journey? Any help is greatly appreciated...

You can fly Air Asia. Phuket to Udon Thani. From there the Laos border is about 30 to 45 minutes by road. Mini bus from the airport.

5th November is a holiday in Malaysia.

Here

How far from the border to the embassy in Vientiane?

I have never done it but it is not far. Buses, Taxis , Mini buses, Tuk Tuks all waiting to take you.

How far from the border to the embassy in Vientiane?

About 9 hours by bus to Nong Khai, from Bangkok train maybe a little longer. From Nong Khai to border, Immigration 5 minutes tuk tuk Bhat 40 then Bhat 10 bus to Lao Immigration, then taxi or tuk tuk to Vientiane 20 minutes. Taxi Bhat 300 or share with others. Tuk Tuk will ask Bhat 150.