Don't drink cocktails or unsealed spirits in these places. There is a huge pressure on the bartenders to short the bottles and top them up with dodgy stuff. If you must drink, beer in sealed bottles and cans is probably fairly safe.
Even 'sealed' bottles can be tampered with. We used to live in W. Africa. Our friend brought over a bottle that appeared to be sealed, from a supposedly reputable source. The men had a double each, and started throwing up. My husband also got a blinding headache. Perhaps it was fortunate that they got ill so quickly, as they stopped after the first drink. I would say stick to cans that you open yourself, if possible.
As someone from Asia, the lack of self preservation instincts of these westerners always surprised me. I used to be amazed at the naïveté and frankly foolishness of these young people traveling carefree to places even the locals know not to go. So used to living in a safe society that they think everywhere else is just as safe as home. I feel bad for these kids but let this be a lesson to all the young westerners out there. 🙏
What are you talking about? This can happen anywhere. A bar giving free shots. Who wouldn't take it. Other Asian countries do this as well it just so happened that the Laos Hostel apparently had a bad batch.
You know, you could always improve regulations and laws in Asia so that it wasn't a place where tourists bringing their tourist dollar to your country ended up dead from buying a drink. You could turn it into a place where trust could flourish. But no.
I am just back from laos. I was staying at Nana's when this happened. I honestly don't think it's Nana's that is to blame. As the guy mentioned, the bar with the drug menu, they have incredibly dodgy drinks that tasted horrendous. I couldn't finish mine and left.
Yes... I've been to Vang Vieng. It is a really really beautiful place, close to the nature. So sad this bring bad name to the town but I would go back there again if I have a chance anyway.
@konanninja Absolutely, I agree. I was posting photos and videos on social media stating that it's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The people were great too. It's just so tragic that this has happened. Of course, it's very disturbing, the fact that I was staying at Nanas when all 6 died:( Unreal
The hotel owner he is Vietnamese live in Laos In VN alcohols homemade everywhere in my community die every year but poeple still drinking those alcohol really cheap
So incredibly sad😢. Free alcohol🤔. Personally I’d seriously question that to the point I wouldn’t touch it especially knowing it “may” be methanol. An old saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
I'll never understand why people, obviously irresponsible ,reckless young people or mostly anyway, travel to party and do drugs as opposed to enjoying and appreciating the culture, food, beauty and history of the countries where they travel???
Greetings from Malaysia, So sad to see all this young girls dying so terribly, I hope that the bartender who serve the drinks to all this young people who died will be serve with life imprisonment. Harsh sentences will deter more deaths. Also there have been countless news about about people spiking drinks all over the world. I hope that all this teenagers travelling overseas will be more wary of people offering free drinks. Who knows what is inside the drink. Why risk your life over a drink.
I remember seeing huge black swirling clouds of bats there, emerging from their caves in huge jagged, canine tooth like mountains, presumably to feed on insects at night. Also bars or places where young people could lounge around watching non stop Friends episodes . I was shocked at one point, lying in the burning sun to suddenly realise I was staring at a huge vivid green scary looking praying mantis on the trunk of a tree by the river . I tried to make a little joke asking an American Chinese girl who had been floating down the river in an inner tube how tyred she was afterwords only to glared at angrily .
Been to Laos, not Vang Vieng but overall it's a wonderful country. Wouldn't go near Moonshine there, stick to the local beer. Beer Lao is great and has other varieties. All I was on while there.
I'm sure that if I were in Melbourne, I would be able to find drugs and drunks there too. Young people are always looking for a good time, even a home. You do not expect to be served fake liquor.
The blame here lies with the failure of tourist boards and the foreign office advice in not publicising the apparent risk to tourists in this part of the world. They are very much aware there’s a problem with this throughout south-east Asian countries, yet the tourists going there are not being made aware of these risks.
As an apparent English speaker, surely you know he’s pronouncing it correctly in English. Do you pronounce a V when you say bratwurst? Do you use a French “r” when you say croissant? No, because you’re not an idiot.
I apologize for her parents 😔,she's young and beautiful,and she has the right to decide whether or not to consume alcohol, but it's worth noting that alcohol can be harmful to her 😓😓 16:16
Even the liquor in the bottle may be illegal. Therefore, when you come to Southeast Asia, please purchase alcohol in reliable convenience stores. Don't buy from the common people who set up sales tables in front of their homes. Because selling alcohol in Thailand only requires a license from the authorities. Not everyone can sell.
VERY SAD😢😢😢 Best not to stay in these places. we were warned years ago to only stay in 4 Star and above in these places. Eat and Drink in 4 Star and above and only drink sealed drinks bought from reputable places therefore is not a cheap holiday and may as well just travel within Western countries and Europe.
We have whole wedding parties that suffer ethanol poisoning. Not uncommon for deaths. Not that horrific, but silly. Being feed slowly into a wood chipper is "horrific". OK? Or, imagine you have had a heavy morning feeding the wood chipper and going for a quick refreshment , and you are distracted by some surviving tourist pronouncing the " s" at the end of " Laos" and you step on a UXO! Bad morning!
its a no brainer. those male bartenders are looking for an easy lay. get a girl into a stupor, then boom boom time while she passed out. happens all the time.
Hopefully this will make a change and places like Laos try to attract less hedonistic, superficial, cheap tourists and tourism! Such amazing culturally important places should not become just cheap druggy alcoholic party places! Maybe this will change the trend for a better future for locals and more sustainable style of tourism that includes respect for the locals and their culture.
Is it just me or did anyone else want to know more about this river and what happened on it. It felt like he wanted to share the story but the interviewer kept changing the subject.
Well I can tell you more about it as I lived there from 2007-2014.It is called the Nam Song, and it can flood Vang Vieng some years. In 2011 two dozen tourist died in it, due to the mix of free alcohol (Lao Lao) and dangerous zip lines ad slides.
He is right. Laos is the most beautiful nature country in Asia. But primitive. To be fair we teach kids not to take open pills, they also should know dont drink unbottled drinks.
Greetings from Malaysia, Why take a risk with your life for free achoholic drink from dubious people and people you never met before. If want to drink, better to buy your own liqueur from duty free airports. In this world, there are no free lunches. (Drinks)
I've been there and it's a great place to spend a few days and have a great time. I don't think it deserves to be talked about like it's some sort of evil destination. But of course typical broke Backpackers who never follow the rules and then blame someone or something else when things go wrong, they have to give someone or something a black guy for their own poor behavior and decision-making
Although Thailand and Laos are neighbors……they’re very different, in terms of tourists safety, security, and accountability!!! Thailand is a democratic, constitutional-monarchy system…..where as Laos is a COMMUNIST country. In Thailand, there’s law and justice, whereas in Laos, you’re in your own against the COMMUNIST JUNTA. travelers, beware of Laos!!!
the hostel staffers from Vietnam seems to have been investigated by authorities. I guess that locals don’t welcome some tourists who are carefree and ignorant of the local culture and practices.
I knew not to drink mixed cocktails in south east asia for decades now. travelled through the region with no problem........bought alcohol only from bottles. these dead travelers were not smart enough...sad but true
Don't drink cocktails or unsealed spirits in these places. There is a huge pressure on the bartenders to short the bottles and top them up with dodgy stuff.
If you must drink, beer in sealed bottles and cans is probably fairly safe.
Even 'sealed' bottles can be tampered with. We used to live in W. Africa. Our friend brought over a bottle that appeared to be sealed, from a supposedly reputable source. The men had a double each, and started throwing up. My husband also got a blinding headache. Perhaps it was fortunate that they got ill so quickly, as they stopped after the first drink.
I would say stick to cans that you open yourself, if possible.
As someone from Asia, the lack of self preservation instincts of these westerners always surprised me. I used to be amazed at the naïveté and frankly foolishness of these young people traveling carefree to places even the locals know not to go. So used to living in a safe society that they think everywhere else is just as safe as home. I feel bad for these kids but let this be a lesson to all the young westerners out there. 🙏
What are you talking about? This can happen anywhere. A bar giving free shots. Who wouldn't take it. Other Asian countries do this as well it just so happened that the Laos Hostel apparently had a bad batch.
It sounds like they were targeted.
@ Targeting my family and friends like they did me.
Not all Westerners. Laos probably has the same health and consumer protection standards as Florida.
You know, you could always improve regulations and laws in Asia so that it wasn't a place where tourists bringing their tourist dollar to your country ended up dead from buying a drink.
You could turn it into a place where trust could flourish. But no.
I am just back from laos. I was staying at Nana's when this happened. I honestly don't think it's Nana's that is to blame. As the guy mentioned, the bar with the drug menu, they have incredibly dodgy drinks that tasted horrendous. I couldn't finish mine and left.
Yes... I've been to Vang Vieng. It is a really really beautiful place, close to the nature. So sad this bring bad name to the town but I would go back there again if I have a chance anyway.
@konanninja Absolutely, I agree. I was posting photos and videos on social media stating that it's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The people were great too. It's just so tragic that this has happened. Of course, it's very disturbing, the fact that I was staying at Nanas when all 6 died:( Unreal
The hotel owner he is Vietnamese live in Laos
In VN alcohols homemade everywhere in my community die every year but poeple still drinking those alcohol really cheap
This is a such a tragic… so sorry these people had to die this way…
So incredibly sad😢. Free alcohol🤔. Personally I’d seriously question that to the point I wouldn’t touch it especially knowing it “may” be methanol. An old saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
I was there for 3 nights. I don't drink or do drugs. Life is actually very simple . Look for trouble , things may happen.
I'll never understand why people, obviously irresponsible ,reckless young people or mostly anyway, travel to party and do drugs as opposed to enjoying and appreciating the culture, food, beauty and history of the countries where they travel???
Greetings from Malaysia, So sad to see all this young girls dying so terribly, I hope that the bartender who serve the drinks to all this young people who died will be serve with life imprisonment. Harsh sentences will deter more deaths. Also there have been countless news about about people spiking drinks all over the world. I hope that all this teenagers travelling overseas will be more wary of people offering free drinks. Who knows what is inside the drink. Why risk your life over a drink.
Drugs and alcohol are for losers. As far as I’m concerned.
I remember seeing huge black swirling clouds of bats there, emerging from their caves in huge jagged, canine tooth like mountains, presumably to feed on insects at night. Also bars or places where young people could lounge around watching non stop Friends episodes . I was shocked at one point, lying in the burning sun to suddenly realise I was staring at a huge vivid green scary looking praying mantis on the trunk of a tree by the river . I tried to make a little joke asking an American Chinese girl who had been floating down the river in an inner tube how tyred she was afterwords only to glared at angrily .
Nice
What? I think you've had too much methanol yourself. Your brain has turned into a mush.
@@nottooherbal sounds like you dont need lsd
Such a tragedy. Alcohol and drugs is a nasty trail to go down, kids. Choose another path!❤❤❤
Time for people to take responsibility for themselves and others when they travel instead of behaving like entitled toddlers
Flying round the world for cheap drinks.
Been to Laos, not Vang Vieng but overall it's a wonderful country. Wouldn't go near Moonshine there, stick to the local beer. Beer Lao is great and has other varieties. All I was on while there.
I'm sure that if I were in Melbourne, I would be able to find drugs and drunks there too. Young people are always looking for a good time, even a home. You do not expect to be served fake liquor.
Yes, some of us watch stuff online and have been warned about some of these places
The blame here lies with the failure of tourist boards and the foreign office advice in not publicising the apparent risk to tourists in this part of the world.
They are very much aware there’s a problem with this throughout south-east Asian countries, yet the tourists going there are not being made aware of these risks.
Mostly blond women - and one American bloke. I bet you any money someone at the bar was targeting people.
Honestly our people don't realise how much they despise us. Imagine seeing a blonde person with blue eyes .. haters 😂
What a tool you are. Unbelievable.
Asian guy are obsessed with white girls blonde hair blue eyes . The girls don't like them maybe he mad
As an Asian specialist surely this bloke should know how to pronounce the name of Laos.
As an apparent English speaker, surely you know he’s pronouncing it correctly in English. Do you pronounce a V when you say bratwurst? Do you use a French “r” when you say croissant? No, because you’re not an idiot.
What ocean are Laotians from ? wait ! Laos doesnt have a coastline !
I apologize for her parents 😔,she's young and beautiful,and she has the right to decide whether or not to consume alcohol, but it's worth noting that alcohol can be harmful to her 😓😓 16:16
Even the liquor in the bottle may be illegal. Therefore, when you come to Southeast Asia, please purchase alcohol in reliable convenience stores. Don't buy from the common people who set up sales tables in front of their homes. Because selling alcohol in Thailand only requires a license from the authorities. Not everyone can sell.
How many times have I said "I'm dying for a drink". Didn't mean it literally.
VERY SAD😢😢😢 Best not to stay in these places. we were warned years ago to only stay in 4 Star and above in these places. Eat and Drink in 4 Star and above and only drink sealed drinks bought from reputable places therefore is not a cheap holiday and may as well just travel within Western countries and Europe.
This happened in Thailand and Bali a few years back.
Laos government is like a rabbit eyeing the big carrot and got stagnated into oblivion...not realizing it's losing its home indefinitely
Such a sad story.
Desi Daroo and Desi Food is difficult to digest without proper conditioning.
My dad died thirty years ago drinking with some friends of methanol suspiciously the police didn’t find out who gave it to him
A very true and honest and real report. Much better than the BBC
Anything is better than the BBC.. utterly useless and deluded public funded news outlet
We have whole wedding parties that suffer ethanol poisoning. Not uncommon for deaths. Not that horrific, but silly. Being feed slowly into a wood chipper is "horrific". OK?
Or, imagine you have had a heavy morning feeding the wood chipper and going for a quick refreshment , and you are distracted by some surviving tourist pronouncing the " s" at the end of " Laos" and you step on a UXO! Bad morning!
Ask yourself - why almost all girls died n only 1 57 yo man . I m 100% sure many young men drank too. So is it a conspiracy theory?
maybe the owner was anti-feminist?!?! if that be the case, feminism caused these deaths.
its a no brainer. those male bartenders are looking for an easy lay. get a girl into a stupor, then boom boom time while she passed out. happens all the time.
Daria Dugan
Hopefully this will make a change and places like Laos try to attract less hedonistic, superficial, cheap tourists and tourism!
Such amazing culturally important places should not become just cheap druggy alcoholic party places!
Maybe this will change the trend for a better future for locals and more sustainable style of tourism that includes respect for the locals and their culture.
Who woud choose that dreadful tip?
Vang Vieng I got dysentery there.
V informative 🙏
Sorry but he was incorrect. I was in Thailand in 1989 and THERE WAS NO VISA NO PERMITTAL TO ENTER LAOS.
Is it just me or did anyone else want to know more about this river and what happened on it. It felt like he wanted to share the story but the interviewer kept changing the subject.
Well I can tell you more about it as I lived there from 2007-2014.It is called the Nam Song, and it can flood Vang Vieng some years. In 2011 two dozen tourist died in it, due to the mix of free alcohol (Lao Lao) and dangerous zip lines ad slides.
@Lifeintheslowlane16547 is there not any poisonous snakes or nasty fanged fish in that river aswell?
@@Andrew-PoTate-O The local can be found in all the rivers in Lao fishing or just having fun. So the simple answer to your question is no.
@@Lifeintheslowlane16547 I'm surprised. Usually everything wants to eat everything in Asia.
@@Andrew-PoTate-O That is why there s nothing of any size in the river as the locals have trapped and eaten it.
Yeah death is pretty much a once in a lifetime experience.
As is being born and life.
Or the quantum of mixture is totally out.
It could b foul play.
He is right. Laos is the most beautiful nature country in Asia. But primitive. To be fair we teach kids not to take open pills, they also should know dont drink unbottled drinks.
I don't go to certain countries or remote places, business or pleasure .
Very scary and sad news 😢
Greetings from Malaysia, Why take a risk with your life for free achoholic drink from dubious people and people you never met before. If want to drink, better to buy your own liqueur from duty free airports. In this world, there are no free lunches. (Drinks)
Been there, never found a shortage of backpackers, place is infested with them.
I've been there and it's a great place to spend a few days and have a great time. I don't think it deserves to be talked about like it's some sort of evil destination. But of course typical broke Backpackers who never follow the rules and then blame someone or something else when things go wrong, they have to give someone or something a black guy for their own poor behavior and decision-making
Although Thailand and Laos are neighbors……they’re very different, in terms of tourists safety, security, and accountability!!! Thailand is a democratic, constitutional-monarchy system…..where as Laos is a COMMUNIST country. In Thailand, there’s law and justice, whereas in Laos, you’re in your own against the COMMUNIST JUNTA. travelers, beware of Laos!!!
Girls did not look after themselfs didn't know what thay were doing
I enjoyed these interviews, but it wasn't really a story.
"FROM BROKEN TO BLESSED "BY TAJ PACLEB POWERFUL WATCH TRUE AMAZING STORY FROM HAWAII ENJOY UNMISSABLE WATCH ❤GOD IS LOVE FOREVER ❤
the hostel staffers from Vietnam seems to have been investigated by authorities. I guess that locals don’t welcome some tourists who are carefree and ignorant of the local culture and practices.
I knew not to drink mixed cocktails in south east asia for decades now. travelled through the region with no problem........bought alcohol only from bottles. these dead travelers were not smart enough...sad but true
Paradise? More like a slump to me.
This supposed 30 year expert got more than 5 things wrong in first 10 minutes . No way I will listen to someone so off about they are saying
^. ^ It's absolutely tragic! The ironic thing is that if they had taken the drugs instead they might still be alive. Really nasty stuff! VVxx
Exploitive alarmist reporting. Taking testimony from. Junior six week experts. The tone of your voice is like a cheap American sitcom
You live reckless you die reckless. Why do you want to drink and do drugs and die. Pure stupidity.
he ladies are soo beaifl b allblonde is a radgedy no good enogh hey all blone really sad sholdn haen
Stupidity knows no bounds.. generations get dumber