The rise of bootleg alcohol in Laos causes devastation across the world:
- eannetts123
- Nov 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2024
As many of you know, I recently spent four incredible months exploring Asia and Australia. This trip was absolutely fantastic, and was filled with extraordinary experiences, unforgettable moments and the joy of creating new connections and friendships with people from all corners of the world. Southeast Asia — a place known for its vibrancy, rich culture, and stunning landscapes — will always be somewhere I hold dear to my heart.
However, in the past few days, my news and social media feeds have been flooded with information and updates about the mass methanol poisonings that recently occured in the Southeast Asian country of Laos, which claimed the lives of 6 people. This tragic event has shocked the world and highlighted the serious issue surrounding bootleg alcohol and unregulated alcohol production in South East Asian countries.
Laos, a landlocked country that is boardered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and China, is a popular destination for backpackers and is part of the well known backpacking route, 'The Banana Pancake Trail'. Despite being a low-income country where 80% of the population is employed in agriculture, Laos boasts a significant tourism industry that attracts millions of visitors each year (BBC, 2023). The recent methanol poisonings at 'Nana's Backpacker's Hostel' in the popular town of Vang Vieng have deeply affected both those close to the victims and the broader backpacking community, and will have an immensely negative impact the country's tourism and economic standing - something that serves as a personal tragedy for all Laotian's that are reliant on these systems.
What is Methanol and why is it harmful?
It is a toxic chemical that has a colourless appearance
Found in windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, and types of fuel
NOT meant for human consumption
If consumed, the body breaks it down into toxic by-products that harm nerves and organs, potentially causing blindness, coma, or death
(National Library of Medicine, 2023).
How does such a harmful substance fall into the hands of innocent holidaymakers and explorers?
Methanol can end up in alcoholic beverages in a number of different ways. In some cases, it is intentionally and illegally added into drinks after production as a way of increasing alcohol content on the cheap. However, methanol can also be accidentally produced during traditional brewing processes, which are largely utilised in South East Asia, depending on the types of plants and microbes involved in fermentation (The Guardian, 2024).
It remains unclear as to how exactly the victims of this tragedy came to be poisoned, but it is known that all victims consumed free drinks containing the toxic substance at bars and hostels in the Vang Vieng area.
Although this blog post does not intend to incite fear or imply that this tragic incident was due to malicious actions, I am writing to increase awareness and remind travelers
we have a responsibility to remain vigilant, take precautions and avoid drinking locally produced spirits while exploring our incredible planet.
References:
BBC, 2023. Laos Country Profile.
National Library of Medicine, 2023. Methanol Toxicity.
The Guardian, 2024. What is methanol, how does it get into alcoholic drinks and why is it so dangerous?
Thought provoking and devastating for the familes