Canberra tightens Laos warning after methanol charges in Vang Vieng

Australia has sharpened its warning on Laos at exactly the moment when the country’s courts have begun to move, however cautiously, over one of the region’s bleakest tourist deaths in recent memory. Travellers are now told to exercise a high degree of caution because of crime, the risk of methanol poisoning and continuing concerns about the lack of transparency in the justice system. Bureaucratic language, yes — but in this case it is doing a fair amount of work.

The trigger is the November 2024 poisoning in Vang Vieng, where Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, died after drinking alcohol at Nana Backpackers hostel. Two Danish women, a British woman and an American man also died, bringing the toll to six foreign nationals. The teenagers had been travelling through south-east Asia, were later found sick in their room after failing to check out as planned, and were evacuated to hospitals in Thailand, where they died.

Laotian authorities have now charged a distillery owner in connection with the case. According to information relayed by Denmark’s foreign ministry, the charges are selling food that is harmful to health and operating an illegal business. If convicted, the accused could face a prison term of between three months and four years, plus a fine. The case will remain formally open for 15 years, and more serious charges such as negligent homicide can still be brought if the evidence supports them. Whether that happens is another matter, and one the families are plainly not prepared to leave to chance.

The reaction from Australia was immediate. Penny Wong said the government was deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that the authorities were not pursuing the most serious charges in relation to the women’s deaths. She and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sent an envoy to Laos on Friday to convey Australia’s objections and press for an investigation that delivers justice for Holly, Bianca and the other victims. Australia also summoned Laos’ ambassador to Canberra.

Denmark’s response was no warmer. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, said he was deeply disappointed that the indictment did not reflect the seriousness and extent of the tragedy. He acknowledged that the burden of proof in such cases can be difficult to meet, while adding that it is hard to accept such a lenient charge sheet. His ministry said it would now work with relatives and other affected countries on the next steps.

The families have not hidden their anger. Shaun Bowles said he was devastated that the charges did not reflect the seriousness of the case. Michelle Jones said it felt as if the girls’ lives did not matter. That reaction is hardly surprising. Two teenagers went off backpacking, as young people do, and ended up dead after drinking what turned out to be contaminated alcohol. The travel warning may not bring anyone back, but it does at least acknowledge what the case has already shown: in Laos, the risk is not limited to petty theft and bad roads. Sometimes it is the contents of the glass.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com