Table of Contents
- 1 ‘Informational black hole’
- 2 Toxic substance
- 3 More careful
- 4 * Given the information presented in the program outline, how could a PAA be designed to provide tourists with real-time safety updates and alerts regarding methanol contamination in specific destinations? [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c245243m3m9o)]
ANPBar in Laos, the bar does not appear in the story (image for illustration)
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 22:13
-
Felicia van der Meulen
Editor
-
Felicia van der Meulen
Editor
There is a lot of uncertainty about the deaths among tourists in Laos. Five people have now died after drinking alcohol poisoned with methanol. So far, two Danes, an American, an Australian and a Briton have died after drinking the alcohol.
The Laotian authorities say they are investigating the situation, but do not want to release much else about the case. There are various reasons why little information is released about this, such as the lack of press freedom and a lack of transparency in the government.
NOSThe victims became ill in the city of Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town
The Southeast Asian country is one of the fastest growing economies on the continent and attracts millions of tourists every year, including many backpackers. The village of Vang Vieng, where tourists have fallen ill, is very popular among backpackers. ‘Tubing’ is advised to many tourists, where people float on the river in a float and drink alcohol.
The village is also part of the ‘Banana Pancake trail’, a well-known backpacking route that passes through Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Despite its economic growth and popularity, Laos is also one of the poorest countries in Asia.
Laos is governed by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the only legal political party in the country. Elections are held, but voters can only vote for approved candidates. The party has influence over almost everything in the country, for example the government owns the majority of media channels, including newspapers and national television and radio channels.
‘Informational black hole’
According to the country’s constitution, there is a right to freedom of expression, but media are banned from publishing on topics that harm ‘national interests’ and ‘traditional culture’. Journalists who break the rules can be sentenced to prison.
In addition, internet providers are obliged to pass on all kinds of data about internet users, such as search history and user names, to the government. Reporters without Borders also calls the country informational black hole.
The tight grip on media ensures that little information comes out about the country. Even now that several tourists have died in the country. The information that does come out is that the tourists probably died from methanol poisoning.
Southeast Asia correspondent Mustafa Marghadi
“There is virtually no independent press in Laos. The country ranks near the bottom of the international press freedom index. This makes it very difficult to gather information about this alcohol poisoning case. Even backpackers who are involved in the case or know the victims are unwilling to talk.
The backpackers I spoke to on behalf of the NOS indicate that they only want to share information once they have left the country, for fear of repercussions from the authorities in Laos.”
It is not the first time that people have died after drinking alcohol containing methanol, at least 36 people died in India last summer. They had consumed illegally distilled alcohol.
Toxic substance
Alcohol is also distilled illegally in Laos and to save money, methanol is sometimes used to make it stronger, but it is a very toxic form of alcohol and is used, among other things, as a pesticide, solvent or as fuel. People can die from even a small amount.
“It is broken down in your body as formaldehyde and formic acid. These substances build up and then you become nauseous, you vomit, you can become comatose and even die,” says Tom Bart, prevention expert at addiction care institution Jellinek. Bart therefore advises backpackers to only buy safe alcohol. “Be careful with locally brewed drinks, try to stick to regular purchases.”
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs also asks backpackers to be careful. Yesterday, the ministry placed a warning on Vang Vieng’s travel advice. “Always keep an eye on your food or drinks. Also in other places in Laos.”
More careful
The atmosphere among tourists has not changed much, according to 26-year-old Rutger. “Everything aimed at tourists continues as usual. Backpackers have heard about it and people are talking about it. Everyone is a bit more careful.” He sees that most other tourists only get drinks from bottles and cans.
Several tourists are still in hospital due to the suspected poisoning. A 24-year-old Dutch woman was also in hospital, she told the NOS that she had now been discharged and was feeling well.
* Given the information presented in the program outline, how could a PAA be designed to provide tourists with real-time safety updates and alerts regarding methanol contamination in specific destinations? [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c245243m3m9o)]
## Inside Laos: Methanol Poisoning and Tourism
**Welcome to World Today News. We are joined by two guests today to discuss the recent tragic events in Vang Vieng, Laos, where several tourists have died after consuming alcohol contaminated with methanol.**
**(Introduce Guests):**
* **Dr. Sarah Evans:** anthropologist with expertise in Southeast Asia tourism.
* **Mr. Peter Liu:** Director of Travel Safety at a leading international travel agency.
**Section 1: Understanding the Tragedy**
* Dr. Evans, can you help us understand the context of this tragedy? How common are incidences like this in Laos and in Southeast Asia more broadly?
* Mr. Liu, what are some contributing factors that might make tourists more vulnerable to such situations while travelling in less regulated environments?
* We understand that several nationalities have been affected. What are the implications for international relations and tourism in Laos moving forward?
**Section 2: The Shadow of Censorship**
* The article highlights the strict control on media in Laos, labeled an “informational black hole”. Dr. Evans, how does this lack of press freedom potentially complicate the investigation and reporting on this event?
* Mr. Liu, what are the challenges for travel agencies trying to obtain reliable information and provide accurate safety advice to their clients given such restricted access to information?
* Should tourists be more cautious in countries with known press freedom limitations? What responsibility do governments and individuals have in this context?
**Section 3: Alcohol Safety and Tourist Awareness**
* Mr. Liu, what are some actionable steps tourists can take to minimize risks when it comes to drinking alcohol in unfamiliar destinations?
* Dr. Evans, how can governments and tourism boards proactively address the issue of Methanol contamination in locally produced alcohol to prevent similar tragedies in the future?
* Beyond alcohol safety, what other health and safety precautions should tourists be aware of when travelling to similar destinations with varying regulatory standards?
**Section 4: The Future of Tourism in Laos**
* Dr. Evans, how might this incident impact the perception of Laos as a tourist destination? Will there be long-term consequences for the local economy and tourism industry?
* Mr. Liu, what strategies can the tourism industry adopt to rebuild trust and ensure the safety of travellers while maintaining responsible tourism practices?
* Looking ahead, what role can travellers play in supporting ethical and sustainable tourism practices in countries like Laos, while remaining aware of potential risks?
**Concluding Statements:**
Thank you to Dr Evans and Mr. Liu for sharing their insights on this complex issue. We hope this discussion sheds light on the importance of responsible travel and the need for transparency and safety measures in tourism destinations worldwide.
