What are the experiences and challenges at the Nong Khai border for visa processing?

Experience at Nong Khai Border run yesterday:

Can not stamp out Thailand, you do not have the TM 6 Departure card, colleague smiling and notching yes.

I got back passport, open it up on last page with card stapled to the page. Officer not happy, went 5 times through the passport but stamped me out.

Loas Immigration took 40 minutes to give the Visa On Arrival, you can walk straight in, but I get called aside, you have no visa in passport. I opened passport on the visa page and handed it back and just said: You mean this visa, another officer not happy. Stamped out Laos without any problem.

Enter Thailand, note all the pens provided do not work.

Handed over my passport, 3 times she looked at all the pages, than give all back. You have not filled in an address, I said I take taxi into Nong Khai and look for hotel. NO, you are married you need to give address of your wife. Senior Office stood behind her and acknowledged, so I filled in the address. Stamped in without further problems with a Visa Exempt Entry..