The Australian government has protested the Lao government after it prepared to prosecute those involved in a methanol-tainted liquor incident that killed six tourists in 2024 with charges viewed as too lenient. They are demanding appropriate legal action to seek justice for the victims.
On 17 July 2026 GMT+7, the Australian government expressed deep disappointment over the Lao authorities' handling of the methanol poisoning case from 2024, which resulted in six tourist deaths, including two Australian women.
Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, revealed that the government summoned the Lao ambassador to Australia to lodge a formal protest and sent a special envoy to Laos to demand appropriate legal proceedings and justice for the deceased.
Although the Australian authorities did not specify which charges should be applied, ABC News reported that the Lao government planned to bring charges with a maximum combined penalty of only one year imprisonment and a fine of about 1,600 Australian dollars, approximately 34,000 baht. This has sparked criticism that the penalties are too lenient considering the losses incurred.
Source: AFP