Vang Vieng has been a fixture on the Southeast Asia backpacker trail since Laos’ secretive rulers opened the country to tourism decades ago. The town was once synonymous with alcohol and drug-fuelled jungle parties for backpackers but has since re-branded as an eco-tourism destination. Alcohol tainted with methanol is suspected to be the cause of … Read more
Six travelers have died from suspected methanol poisoning after visiting the tourist town of Vang Vieng, Laos, this month. The travelers — two from Australia, two from Denmark, one from United Kingdom and one from United States — are believed to have consumed alcohol tainted with methanol, which is sometimes illegally added to regular or … Read more
ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email Some fourteen people were reportedly sickened following a night out in Vang Vieng around Nov. 12, report CNBC’s Monica Pitrelli. Methanol is cheaper than ethanol, which is the alcohol that’s normally found in beer, wine and spirits. Odorless and colorless, drinking 30 … Read more
A second young Australian tourist died in a Thai hospital on Friday, bringing the death toll related to suspected methanol poisoning during a night out in a Laos backpacker hotspot to six. Two Danish citizens, an American and a Briton have also died after what media described as a night out in adventure town Vang … Read more
China aims to scale up infrastructure construction in uniquely strategic Laos to accelerate trade and investment throughout Southeast Asia as Chinese businesses scout for space to grow offshore, analysts said. Laos, relatively undeveloped and small at just 7.4 million people, matters to Beijing because it shares borders not only with China, but also with the … Read more
Ms Kang from Singapore Polytechnic said the situation “forced us to think on our feet, be adaptable and patient, and rely on non-verbal communication such as hand gestures, drawings, and demonstrations”. Her team also learnt basic Laotian phrases, which helped build mutual respect and deeper connections with their hosts. Apart from language barrier issues, the … Read more
China’s commercial aircraft have received interest from Laos, after Premier Li Qiang rolled his sleeves up to promote the symbol of advanced Chinese manufacturing and technology during his Southeast Asia tour. In a joint communique with China’s Southeast Asian neighbour on Saturday, the countries agreed to strengthen cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative and … Read more
VIENTIANE: Singaporeans need to brace themselves and be mentally prepared that things may go wrong in this “turbulent and difficult phase of development worldwide” amid a “new Cold War”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Oct 12). Speaking to reporters on the final day of his visit to Vientiane, Laos, Mr Wong said that world … Read more
Australian businesses welcomed the removal of China’s trade impediments on its live lobsters, which are set to be dropped after more than three years following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday. The unofficial import ban will be lifted by the end of the year, and a timeline … Read more
PM Narendra Modi will visit Laos for India-Asean Summit on October 10-11 to commemorate 10 years of India’s Act East Policy, emphasising India’s support for ‘Freedom of Navigation in the South China Sea region’ amid China-Philippines territorial disputes that may snowball into a bigger conflict. At the summit, the PM will underline that India supports … Read more
