A fresh travel warning for sexual assault has been issued to British tourists when travelling abroad to a country in Southeast Asia. In Laos, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urges travellers to be “wary” due to the “risk of harassment when travelling alone”. The FCDO recommends holidaymakers to use a known taxi service.
This can be booked through their accommodation or using one of the local taxi apps. Using verified transport services allows for an extra layer of safety for solo travellers. Guidance by the FCDO outlines other security measures for visitors to take while using taxi services in Laos. This includes confirming that the driver’s identity and license plate matches when the vehicle arrives. The advice also suggests to “share your journey details with a friend or use the apps sharing feature if available”.
The FCDO says to “be wary of drivers claiming to be registered with app companies and trying to pick up passengers on the street”.
Other warnings are in place for those planning a trip to the Southeast Asian country. Methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol also poses a risk. Similar warnings have been issued for nearby popular destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The guidance states to check the labels and smell of drinks, firmly warning to not consume anything that seems wrong. “Methanol has been used in the manufacture of counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands or illegal local spirits, like vodka,” the FCDO website states, urging Brits to take care when being offered a free drink.
To protect against methanol poisoning, the government has advised: “Buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores, buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels, avoid home-made alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling.”
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Laos, terrorism threats globally remain high against UK interests and British nationals. The FCDO says to “stay aware of your surroundings at all times”.
But before planning to make a trip to the Asian destination, it’s important travellers consult the FCDO’s latest guidance to keep up-to-date with warnings and insurance information. Entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks, health and getting help can also be found on the website.
The new warning comes after six people were killed in the country as a result of methanol poisoning last year.
