Deputy Chief of the Vientiane Province Police Command, Police Colonel Khafong Vongdalasane (centre), on Friday briefs the media on the investigation into the deaths of six foreign nationals in Vangvieng in 2024. –Photo Public Security Newspaper

Distillery owner, hostel staff indicted over Vangvieng tourist deaths

Police have indicted the owner of the Tiger Vodka distillery and the owner and staff of the Nana Backpackers Hostel over the deaths of six foreign tourists in Vangvieng in late 2024 but say they cannot legally determine the cause of five of the deaths because no autopsies were conducted.
The announcement came during a press briefing held at the Ministry of Public Security on Friday, marking the most detailed public explanation of its investigation into the deaths, according to the Public Security Newspaper.
Deputy Chief of the Vientiane Province Police Command, Colonel Khamfong Vongdalasane, said investigators found methanol levels above permitted standards in Tiger Vodka produced by a privately-owned distillery in Xaimoungkhoun village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane.
Police also received confirmation through the Australian Embassy that Aek Udon Hospital in Thailand detected methanol in the blood of the two Australian women who died.

Despite these findings, Colonel Khamfong said investigators could not legally conclude what caused the deaths of five people because no autopsies were carried out.
However, he said investigations will continue in order to gather comprehensive, objective and reliable evidence.
The press briefing was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and embassies of the countries whose citizens died.
The deceased were identified as American national James Louis Hutson, Danish nationals Freja Vennervald Sorensen and Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, Australian nationals Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, and British national Simone White.
Police said the owner of the Tiger Vodka distillery has been indicted on charges of producing and selling consumer goods harmful to health under Article 275 of the Penal Code and operating an illegal business under Article 297.
The case has been submitted to the Vientiane Province People's Court for trial.
Investigators said prosecutors initially considered charging the owner with violating food safety regulations but later dismissed that charge because of insufficient evidence. Prosecutors instead directed police to pursue a charge relating to the production and sale of hazardous consumer goods.

Police also disclosed the outcome of a separate case involving the Nana Backpackers Hostel.
Investigators found that after American national Mr Hutson died in Room 205 on November 13, 2024, hostel staff moved his body to Vangvieng District Hospital before informing police, preventing officers from examining the room.
Police charged the hostel owner and 10 staff members with destroying evidence under Article 383 of the Penal Code.
The Vangvieng District Court convicted all 10 defendants. But the Vangvieng People's Prosecutor's Office has appealed the sentences, saying they were too lenient and requesting the Vientiane Province People's Court to review the penalties.
Police said the Nana Backpackers Hostel remains closed while legal proceedings continue. The owner and 10 members of staff have had their passports confiscated and are prohibited from leaving Laos until the case is concluded.
Police said they first learned of Mr Hutson's death on November 14, 2024, after being notified that an American national had died at Vangvieng District Hospital.
Officers later established that he had died at the hostel the previous day before his body was moved to the hospital.
Investigators found several items inside the room, including beer bottles, glasses containing Tiger Vodka, soft drinks, bottled water, medication, and a suicide note.
Police said Mr Hutson's family declined an autopsy, and his body was released for funeral arrangements.
The investigation also found that two Danish women became ill with breathing difficulties, dizziness and vomiting before being treated at Vangvieng District Hospital and transferred to Hospital 103 in Vientiane, where they later died. Their families also refused requests for autopsies.
Police said the two Australian women checked into the Nana Backpackers Hostel on November 9, 2024. Investigators were unable to determine all of their movements or what they had eaten or drunk during their stay.
After becoming seriously ill, they were treated at Vangvieng District Hospital before being transferred to Settathirath Hospital in Vientiane. At the request of their families, they were later transferred by a medical team to Thailand for further treatment, where they subsequently died.
Investigators said British national Ms White was transferred from Mahosot Hospital to Kasemrad International Hospital in Vientiane on November 13, 2024, after falling unconscious. She died on November 21.
Police said they opened investigations into all five deaths but had been unable to establish criminal responsibility because no autopsies were performed.
Although methanol exceeding permitted standards was found in Tiger Vodka and methanol was detected in the blood of the two Australian women, Police Colonel Khamfong said the available evidence was not sufficient under Lao law to determine that the deaths resulted from the actions of any specific person.
He said investigators would continue to collect evidence in accordance with the Law on Criminal Procedure and would maintain close cooperation with the embassies of the United States, Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Police Colonel Khamfong expressed condolences to the families of those who died and said police remained committed to conducting a transparent, fair and lawful investigation.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 19, 2026)