Mayor of Lao Tourist Town Hit by Poisoning Promises Justice for Victims

Source: Radio Free Asia

Business owners in the Lao tourist town of Vang Vieng say they are already seeing a decline in revenue after foreign tourists consumed drinks suspected of being laced with methanol on a night out in the riverside backpacker hub, as the town’s mayor reportedly promised justice for six victims of the incident.

Two young Australian women, a British woman, two young Danish women and an American man have died, and about a dozen more people were reported to be sick, after going out for drinks on Nov. 12 in the town that has for years been a laid-back stop for young Western travelers.

While authorities have ordered inspections of tourist venues and are carrying out an investigation of the incident, business owners in Vang Vieng told RFA Lao there had already been a drop in tourism in the town.

One bar owner said that foreign tourists are “much more careful” when they visit her establishment.

“Yes, we’ve started to see some impact,” she said. “We’ve seen a decrease in the number of foreign customers.”

District mayor Bounchan Malavong told media on the weekend that authorities had responded quickly to the deaths, investigating and taking measures including inspecting restaurants and entertainment venues to ensure that safety standards are upheld and to protect tourists.

“Bounchan Malavong … addressed the media about the ongoing investigation and the measures being taken to bring justice to the deceased,” the Laotian Times newspaper reported.

“The mayor acknowledged that the incident has negatively impacted the image of tourism in Vang Vieng and Laos but reassured the public that tourism in the area remains strong, with both domestic and international visitors continuing to come.”

However, another business owner said that bars and entertainment venues had been hit hard by the incident, as fewer tourists are visiting and the sale of alcoholic beverages is lower than usual.

“Tourists are more vigilant when they order alcohol and some are afraid of buying alcoholic beverages at all,” he said. “I hope that the tourism committee will hold a thorough investigation over this incident and release its findings to the public soon.”