but Thai can get border crossing permits easily.

My TG and I tried crossing over the Thai-Lao Friendly Bridge in Mukdahan and Immigration said she needed a Passport. Where can a Thai get a border crossing permit?

We used to live in Udon and used Friendship Bridge crossing for visa runs. Thai friend never had a problem just show ID and fill in form, no cost.

I had to pay the usual 1500 baht.

On an earlier post someone was saying that going into Laos would cancell his single entry type O and that was correct. I'm not sure why people get

the single entry when the multi is not much more expensive and allows total flexibity

Because most people do not need a multi entry non immigrant O visa if living here - they extend there stay at immigration for 1,900 baht once a year.