Beware of tubing in Laos, Vang Vieng

[Beachlover]

I haven't been there yet but apparently tubing is a major backpacker craze in Vang Vieng, Laos.

Anyone who's followed the news over the last few months will have noticed a string of deaths - Aussies and other nationalities - while participating in this activity.

So if you're thinking about doing it, think it through and be careful if you do... Sounds like mad fun but the string of recent deaths is worrying.


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http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-inc ... 1qjre.html (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/laos-river-of-booze-and-tubes-may-be-river-of-no-return-20120126-1qjre.html)

Laos' river of booze and tubes may be river of no return
Larissa Ham
January 27, 2012

The man who started the tubing craze in Laos where two Australian tourists have died in a matter of weeks says local people are very sorry for the deaths, but nothing will change unless someone takes responsibility.

Yesterday the body of Melbourne student Daniel Eimutis, 19, was found in a river in Vang Vieng, three days after he went missing while tubing with friends. Family said he had drowned...

Read the rest: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-inc ... 1qjre.html (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/laos-river-of-booze-and-tubes-may-be-river-of-no-return-20120126-1qjre.html)
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[paulo15]

Hi,
I think the death toll last year was something like 28 people and so many other injuries like broken bones, serious lacerations, cuts etc. If you get injured you need to ship out back to vte and across to Nong Khai for decent treatment too. Mostly it's people being too drunk or too stoned to react quick enough when things go wrong. Certain times of the year the river is pretty fast and there are plenty of submerged roots, rocks and other debris in the water.
Really something to avoid
Cheers

[Beachlover]

28 deaths! That's one a fortnight! Nuts!

Yeah, I imagine access to medical aid ain't great there, which is all the more reason reason to be cautious with life and limb stuff.

Natural cull of the jean pool my mate says.