Imagine you are on a backpack holiday with your gang. Confused about where to party, a local recommends a pub that is serving free shots and cheap alcohol that evening. Won’t you be tempted to go? It would seem like the perfect, economical spot to spend your evening. Stop! Think it through.

　　In November 2024, the party town of Vang Vieng in central Laos witnessed the death of six tourists because of consuming methanol spiked drinks on their vacation. The party hub of Laos with its boozy tubing experiences and scenic views attracts many youngsters. However, the death of half a dozen tourists sent shockwaves throughout the world leading to deserted bars and pubs in Vang Vieng. Visitors avoided, chugging those free shots.

　　When travelling, it's always a good idea to try local brews and traditional alcohols and if they are easy on the wallet, it might seem like the cherry on the cake. However, many incidents suggest that it is always a good idea to be cautious about the alcohol you are consuming. It could well be a “methanol cocktail”, and you would never know until it’s too late.

　　What's Methanol And Why You Should Look Out?

　　Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used in industrial and household products. It is not fit for human consumption. It is usually mixed with alcohol as a cheaper option than its molecular cousin, ethanol. With a similar smell and no colour, it is easy to ignore its presence. What you may be enjoying as a unharmful free drink during your holiday could actually be spurious alcohol.

　　While one may not notice any immediate symptoms, side effects like nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain start to kick in after 12-24 hours of ingestion. These effects could be followed by hyperventilation and difficulty in breathing, sometimes leading to coma and even death, as in the case of the six travellers in Laos.

　　Deaths due to methanol-laced bootleg alcohol are a recurring problem around the world. However, according to data released by Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), Asia has the maximum prevalence of deaths caused by methanol poisoning. Among Asian countries, Indonesia is considered a hotspot with the highest number of cases in the last two decades. Developing Asian countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and India seem to be the worst affected by the poisoning problem.

　　How To Not Fall Into The Trap?

　　As a traveller, cheap liquor looks alluring to the pocket but might cost you in unfathomable ways. Therefore, it should be avoided. “A pro tip for everyone, including travellers, would be to drink less but drink good quality,” suggested entrepreneur and mixologist Yangdup Lama.

　　He also made a distinction between alcohol sourced from legalised distilleries versus home-based and illegal distilleries and suggested that travellers should consume the former. “People with no experience and expertise in distillation usually end up selling spurious alcohol and we should stay miles away from that. Instead, stick to a place that is highly recommended and invest in a good brand,” added Lama. He suggested that there is little or no chance of methanol presence in the alcohol that is sourced from a licensed distillery.

　　India experienced a similar incident in June 2024 when around 57 people died in the south-Indian state of Tamil Nadu after consuming methanol laced alcohol. The Bihar hooch tragedy in October 2024 is just another of the many methanol poisoning instances in the country.

　　While you want to shed all worries and travel carefree, the liquor and drinks you choose should be chosen with great attention and caution. It is essential for you to be responsible for your own as well as the wellbeing of everyone accompanying you on the trip.