Illegal Border Crossings

Before returning to Thailand, I had a little trouble at the border where I had accidentally left Laos and crossed into Thailand illegally. This sounds a lot worse than it actually is but it happens quite often at this particular boarder-cross. When I went to get my stamp for Thai entry, the serviceman told me I could leave my bag with him so I can cross the river back to Laos, get my departure stamp, and then come back to Thailand for proper entry. This was no big deal but I did have to pay for the river taxi twice now as well as a departure fee. All together maybe $4 so I didn't get too worked up over it. Upon returning to Thailand, the same serviceman was very funny and he told me this happens a lot. After he looked at my passport photo he looked up at me with a flirtatious grin and says, "you has bery pretty ears..." As he said this, he was pointing to his eyes, so I had to correct him by telling him that my eyes are not called ears and then gave a respectful Khaaw Khoon Khrap (thank you). After we exchanged a good laugh, I went on to properly enter Thailand.