Here's the scenario:

You just arrived at the Wattay International Airport and you notice that you are running late and might miss your flight to Bangkok. You notice there is a line up of about 10 people ahead of you to check in your bags.

Do you:

A) Go right to the front to the desk clerk and demand to be checked in right away or you'll miss your flight.

B) Go to the front and pay the desk clerk some money so that you can be checked in right away.

C) Stand and wait in line.

D) Insert your own answer here _________ .

I haven't taken a flight to Bangkok, I'm too poor for that.  

The check-in desk will be closed if your plane is about to depart.

At the end of the day, you only have yourself to blame for running late. Most international flights require you to be at the airport a couple of hours before departure.

I agree with admin on this one. International travel can be unpredictable.  It is best to be early. Very early. I've spent many hours waiting in airports, but I've never missed a flight.

OKay I guess you guys are focusing on something other than the real point I was trying to get at. I notice in asian countries, there is no coherence of cutting in line and making other people mad. I also notice that you can pay your way through just about any situation, and I also know that there is no such thing as being on time in Laos. When you make an appointment with someone, expect them to be 2hrs late, this is called Laos time, this is also true for Laos people in the US/Canada.
I can tell you this cause all of these things have happend to me before. When we got to Laos, we paid off the immigration people at the airport so they didn't check our bags, $20 US. Try doing this with Canada Immigration or Home Land Security in the US and you will find yourself in jail very quick.
I got used to people cutting in line before me, I guess they thought I was being kind by standing patiently and waiting. When you snooze, you snooze. I guess the idea of forming a line doesn't mean anything when you look at how traffic is there.
I tried to explain to them in Laos about how if you make an appointment at certain places and you are late, they won't accept you and you will have to reschedule. If you don't show or even call, then there may be penalties that you would have to pay money. I don't think they understand what the phrase "time is money" means to us foreigners.
I guess the mentality is very different from what we are used to in North America with all these laws and regulations that structure our society. This structure is non existent in Laos and to some extent I like it for the freedom but there are apparent downfalls to it. Maybe I was just experiencing some culture shock  :o.

Buk Hoo Kee,

A few words of advice. I am trying to be helpful and not hurtful in any way.  The first thing you must do when visiting any other country is take your own beliefs and culture and throw them out the window. You are now a guest in a foreign place, and the local rules apply whether you agree with them or not. The old saying of "When in France" applies to any country in the world. Having said that, upon arrival you must abide by the local customs and refrain from being an annoying westerner. Don't be "that guy" who makes the rest of us look bad.

best of luck.

People cutting in line before you is normal in Laos. Sometimes it happens to me and I get very annoyed.