Tourist Visa Hong Kong

My partner Som has a Lao passport and we stay in Thailand. I have booked a return trip to Hong Kong for her birthday 07/02/17. went to Hong Kong embassy and they say can not issue tourist visa for Som because she not have 12 month Thai visa.
Question do we have to travel to Vientiane to organise visa or is there another way to get visa, online etc.
It seems very difficult way to get visa.
Kindest regards Max