Picture courtesy of Lao Times

 

by Bob Scott

A British lawyer has become the latest fatality of alcoholic poisoning in Laos taking the death toll to five people. The chilling incident has sent shockwaves across the globe.

 

The British lawyer Simone White is the tragic fifth victim in a series of suspected mass poisonings in Laos, Southeast Asia.

 

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson grieved alongside her family, confirming her untimely death yesterday, November 21.

 

“We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.”

The 28 year old lawyer’s death comes hot on the heels of another shocking announcement earlier that day: the death of 19 year old Australian backpacker Bianca Jones. The horror story doesn’t end there: just hours earlier, reports emerged from the US State Department about the death of an American man in the same tourist hotspot, Vang Vieng.

The list of casualties continues with two Danish women, aged just 19 and 20, who also fell victim last week, though Danish officials are keeping further details tightly under wraps due to confidentiality concerns.

 

Picture of British lawyer Simone White courtesy of LBC

All these tragic deaths are currently under intense police investigation. However, whispers and warnings are spreading like wildfire amongst travellers and tourist forums: local drinks contaminated with deadly methanol—an all-too-common threat in bootleg booze.

 

Vang Vieng, a quaint riverside town known for its allure to adventurous young Western backpackers, is a famed stop along the Banana Pancake Trail: a backpacking rite of passage that winds through Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The town now finds itself at the heart of an international tragedy.

 

As the dust settles on this nightmare, others remain caught in the crossfire: Bianca’s friend, Holly Bowles, clings to life in a Bangkok hospital, while another British woman has been reportedly taken ill.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s foreign ministry confirmed one of its citizens is also suffering from suspected methanol poisoning, and the Netherlands has confirmed a Dutch tourist is hospitalised but stable.

 

Picture of Holly Bowles courtesy of Sky News

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese articulated the distress of the nation, confirming Bianca’s death.

 

“Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent’s very worst fear.”

 

The Aussie PM voiced hopes for the recovery of Bowles, currently fighting for her life in Bangkok Hospital.

 

The US State Department is keeping a watchful eye on investigations regarding their own citizen’s tragic end while pointing out it’s up to local Laotian authorities to determine the full, grim story.

 

Foreign ministries from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have all issued stark warnings to their citizens about the deadly potential of methanol when drinking in Laos.

 

In a grim development, the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where the two Australian women were guests, has shut its doors amid the ongoing police probe.

 

Picture of Bianca Jones courtesy of Sky News

The hostel manager told the press that the ill-fated night began with free shots of local Lao vodka, dispensed generously to more than 100 guests. The manager insisted that no other incidents were reported, as he fervently hoped for the hostel’s name to be cleared. Yet, free shots have been axed for the foreseeable future.

 

Heart-wrenchingly, Bianca Jones’s family released a statement to the Herald Sun, expressing their “deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”

The family kindly requested privacy as they embarked on the most difficult journey of all, grieving a beloved daughter.

 

The spectre of methanol poisoning is a grim reminder of its deadly potency. Unlike ethanol, the safer staple of a nightly tipple, methanol is a toxic impostor, often slipped into bootleg spirits to cut corners and costs.

 

As Laos grapples with this unfolding tragedy, tourists are being urged to sip with caution or steer well clear.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-22

 

 

I hope those responsible are held to account, this is a very alarming situation, I think I'll give Laos a miss

Apparently, this all kicked off around November 10th.

The first victims fell ill shortly after that with the Aussie girls being hospitalised on the 13th.

Not sure when the Danes passed away (they were the first), but is seems that the Laos police did nothing to investigate this until it was raised at government level earlier this week.

Makes the Thai police almost look proactive.

RIP youngsters. So sad.

RIP. So sad. What a waste of young lives. I hope those who are responsible are brought to account 

By the sounds of things Laos needs to be put on the list of unsafe countries to visit.  Cancel all flights until the perpetrators are caught an behind bar's, compensation paid the the relatives. 

Years ago a bar on Sukhumvit would give out free shots of Lao Kao out of a barrel. 
 

Was always suspicious of that stuff. Who the hell knows what it’s made of or what used to be stored in that container. 

How come most of the victims are female?  Are men more resistant to methanol?

3 minutes ago, Crash999 said:

Years ago a bar on Sukhumvit would give out free shots of Lao Kao out of a barrel. 
 

Was always suspicious of that stuff. Who the hell knows what it’s made of or what used to be stored in that container. 

All the slops would go in that barrel,

Another great reason to not drink alcohol (particularly in the poorest counties). Manufactured death all for the sake of making more money off tourists obsession with alcohol 

1 hour ago, smedly said:

I hope those responsible are held to account, this is a very alarming situation, I think I'll give Laos a miss

I'm guessing you're not of the same age and crowd as the unfortunate victims so hardly at risk. 

 

But yes, whenever I see any tragedy happen anywhere to anyone, I immediately cross that country off of my list. That's why I haven't left my house in forty years! 

This has only made the news because it involves mostly White attractive young females.. it is not an unusual occurrence in Cambodia and I expect the same in Laos. Perhaps there needs to be more education of tourists to the dangers in these countries - but I doubt if that will change anything viz tourist motorcycle accidents in Thailand. If people really want to remain blind to the dangers of these sorts of destinations then they cannot be surprised when things do go badly wrong. There are thousands of cases of Malaria and it can be fatal. Then there is Dengue fever..

Laos methanol poisoning victims were seen at mafia-run bar which openly sells hard-drugs to customers hours before being rushed to hospital - as police quiz workers at hostel where British lawyer killed in the mass spiking was staying

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14111525/Laos-methanol-poisoning-victims-drugs-spiking.html 

I'm just glad this didn't happen in Thailand, 

16 minutes ago, TofuHead said:

How come most of the victims are female?  Are men more resistant to methanol?

I think they are more likely to indulge in Beer Lao whilst the women would be more likely go for the cocktail type drinks which are made with these bootleg spirits. 
 

This isn't the time for confidentiality concerns Denmark it's time for getting the truth out and finding those that are guilty of these deaths of young travellers with their lives taken over free shots lol

14 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Another great reason to not drink alcohol (particularly in the poorest counties). Manufactured death all for the sake of making more money off tourists obsession with alcohol 

The first of the ‘holier than lao’ (no pun intended) posts

RIP and condolences to the victims families.

 

A tragic example of precisely why regulation and standards matter.

Have a friend who come to Thailand to meet with me 12 years ago,. After one month he decided to make a trip to Laos. He was poisoned after meet and spend a night with a lady. When Hotel noticed that he had not left the room in the morning, an  employee found him unconscious in bed,  calling the police and the ambulance. Nearly dead, he spent two weeks in Hospital with a diagnosis of poisoning and.. managing to fly back to Bangkok for recover. He spent another week at my house and returned home. He remember NOTHING about that night except the lack of some money in his wallet, a gold neck chain and his watch.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

I hope those responsible are held to account, this is a very alarming situation, I think I'll give Laos a miss

 I think I'll give Laos a miss....You THINK ?? " I WOULD " Just Don't have a " FREE " DRINK......IF Yer Offered one !! SIMPLES !!

Edited November 22, 20241 yr by Blueman1

Methanol ? How can any one use it to make drinks and be at ease ? Killing and risking life of other young people for a few penny ?

I understand ignorance but this is criminal homicide and no country should tolerate it . 

Laotians for the most part are gentle and friendly people. The police and government officials are world class 3rd world corrupt. Add significant  power of truly soulless, and hugely wealthy, Chinese triads and things can go horribly wrong. Laos's Special Economic Zone in the Golden Triangle is evidence that Chinese triads buy refuge to commit transnational crimes. I have had no problem visiting Luang Prabong but have been shaken down by customs officials every time I transit through Vientiane (Kunming-BKK). I skip that routing now even if the travel time is longer. Laos is on a downward spiral. Traveller beware

Edited November 22, 20241 yr by RayOday

Yet another reason not to stay in a hostel. 
 

Sad situation. Very small chance of any justice coming out of this. Hopefully the hostels start buying real booze.

19 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

 I think I'll give Laos a miss....You THINK ?? " I WOULD " Just Don't have a " FREE " DRINK......IF Yer Offered one !! SIMPLES !!

I see

23 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A tragic example of precisely why regulation and standards matter.

 

What a great opportunity to push your political agenda. 

 

You can have all the regulations you want, illegal Bootleggers don't tend to follow them.  

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

What a great opportunity to push your political agenda. 

 

You can have all the regulations you want, illegal Bootleggers don't tend to follow them.  

Let’s have no laws or regulations then because crooks don’t follow them.

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, TofuHead said:

How come most of the victims are female?  Are men more resistant to methanol?

If a man and a woman each consume the same amount, you would expect it to affect a female more, as women generally weigh less than men.

54 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Another great reason to not drink alcohol (particularly in the poorest counties). Manufactured death all for the sake of making more money off tourists obsession with alcohol 

Stick to bottled beer, Beerlao is exceptionally good, and you should be safe.

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Let’s have no laws or regulations then because crooks don’t follow them.

 

 

 

 

 

An interesting but predictable strawman to add to your initial irrelevant post.

 

You're on a roll.

 

Maybe you can look up the Southport massacre thread and post "A tragic example to show the importance of murder laws". 

3 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

Stick to bottled beer, Beerlao is exceptionally good, and you should be safe.

Mass produced bottled beer isn't the issue. It's bootlegged liquor (and unregulated distilleries) that is the risk now. Add the well know practice of "fake" branded liquors (like Jack Daniels, etc.), which is a well known problem, even in Thailand. Never estimate ones desire to make an easy dollar off tourist.

If they weren't all staying in the hostel then it would suggest the drinks were consumed in a bar somewhere or from some roadside vendor .

Why I never trust these cocktail sellers you see at walking street type markets . The bottles are shown as premium spirits ,  but the low price and taste proves they certainly ain't .