Laos boycott methanol poisoning 20250304 p5zbod.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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'Make it safe': Parents of Aussies killed by methanol poisoning in Laos call for boycott of country

Sarah Swain
Sarah Swain

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The parents of one of the young women who died after drinking tainted alcohol in the south-east Asian nation of Laos have called on Australians to boycott the country.

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died from methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng in November.

They were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel.

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Holly Bowles (right) and her best friend Bianca Jones (left), aged 19, had been enjoying a backpacking holiday with friends in Laos.

Holly Bowles (right) and her best friend Bianca Jones (left), aged 19, had been enjoying a backpacking holiday with friends in Laos. Supplied

In total six people died from the poisoning incident.

Jones' parents have now asked Aussies not to go there amid the lack of investigation

"There's been no communication," Bianca's dad Mark Jones told the ABC.

"We've had no updates. We're led to believe that they had 12 people in custody, they've all been released.

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Mark Jones said Laos needs to make the nation safe for people to visit. 9News

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"There were no Laos nationals which had been arrested from what we understand.

"We are just bitterly disappointed that there seems to be no progress."

Bianca's mother Michelle Jones added: "Our girls were murdered and nothing's getting done."

Australian Federal Police have offered help but it was rejected by the Laos authorities.

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The couple said Aussies should not visit the nation.

"Don't go," Mrs Jones said.

"You want people to come to your country, make it safe," Mr Jones said.

"You go to other countries and this doesn't happen."

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Bianca Jones' parents, Mark and Michelle Jones. Nine

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Holly's father, Sean Bowles told the ABC it was "surreal" his daughter was gone, comparing it to a "nightmare".

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"It's probably something that you don't want anyone else to go through," he said.

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