The Australian government has said it is "deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed" after Laos confirmed it would pursue only minor charges over the deaths of six backpackers, including two Australian teenagers, who died from methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng in November 2024. Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoned the Laotian ambassador to Canberra once reports emerged that any charges would carry a maximum penalty of just one year in prison and a fine of around A$1,600, a response victims' families and the Australian government say fails to reflect the scale of the tragedy. Canberra appointed special envoy Pablo Kang to travel to Laos and press Australia's objections, with Wong also raising the issue directly with her Lao counterpart at an ASEAN meeting in Manila.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were among six foreign tourists, also including British, American and Danish nationals, who died after drinking free shots contaminated with methanol at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Ten people linked to the hostel had earlier received only suspended sentences and fines of $185 (£135) for destroying evidence, a penalty one victim's brother branded "an absolute joke". Bianca's father, Mark Jones, said he was "furious" and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to press Laos directly, while Holly's father, Shaun Bowles, said the expected charges were "very hard to comprehend".