Here's some travel advice to keep you informed and safe when it comes
to travel to Laos...
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
Isolated incidents of civil unrest, including armed attacks and bombings, have occurred, most recently in 2004, and similar events cannot be ruled out. Public buses and bus stations, in particular, have been targeted. Attacks have occurred in the capital, Vientiane and on roads north of Vientiane and in Huaphan Province in the north-east.
Crime
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Laos because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Violent crimes such as robbery, rape and sexual assault, including in the capital Vientiane, are reported to be increasing.
The resolution of business and personal disputes through violent means, including bombings, may occur. Local law enforcement agencies often lack the resources and capability to effectively deal with such threats. Foreign travellers are not targeted, but there is the potential for bystanders to be inadvertently caught up in such incidents.
Travellers have been assaulted after accepting 'spiked' drinks.
Petty crime, including bag snatching by thieves on motorcycles and theft from guest houses occurs frequently.
Banditry on the roads between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, including along Route 13, and between Phou Khoun and Phonsavanh, including along Route 7 has been reported by travellers.
Local Travel
Unexploded ordnance is prevalent in many parts of Laos, particularly in Xieng Khouang province (location of The Plain of Jars) and the Lao-Vietnamese border areas along the Ho Chi Minh trail. Straying from established walking paths and roads can be dangerous as affected areas are often unmarked.
Police checkpoints are frequent. It is a requirement to carry identification at all times. Failure to provide identification when requested may result in fines or detention.
Motor vehicle, plane and boat travel within Laos does not generally meet Australian safety standards. Driving in Laos can be hazardous due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles, local driving practices, livestock on rural roads and a lack of road lighting. The number of road accidents and fatalities, particularly at night, has risen sharply in recent years.
Since 2000, there have been several deaths resulting from domestic air accidents on Yuen-12 aircraft servicing secondary domestic routes. There have been no accidents reported on Lao airlines ATR aircraft servicing major domestic and international routes.
The safety standards travellers might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially when undertaking adventure sports. 'Fast boat' river travel, in particular, can be dangerous due to excessive speed, natural hazards, and banditry.
Natural Disasters
The rainy season is May to November when seasonal flooding may occur. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Money and Valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. There are very few ATM machines that accept foreign debit cards in Laos and those that do are often out of order.
Local Law and Customs
Travellers are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local
laws and legal processes can be very different from those at home. A violation
of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular
assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or
unjust by your standards.
Penalties for drug offences are severe in Laos and include the death penalty. Penalties for serious crime, such as rape, murder and treason, also include the death penalty.
Non-marital sexual relationships between Lao citizens and foreigners are not permitted under Lao law. Permission for marriage or engagement to a Lao citizen must be granted by the Lao authorities. Penalties for failing to register a relationship include fines and imprisonment.
Photographing or visiting military sites is prohibited and may result in arrest or detention.
Local car insurance may not cover all expenses in the event of a road accident. A compensation payment for third party property damage and injury may be required, regardless of fault.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Laos for the most up to date information.
You should ensure you obtain an entry stamp on arrival. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
You should use only official border crossings points to enter Laos.
Health Issues
Medical facilities in Laos are extremely limited and medical emergencies may require evacuation. The Australian Embassy in Vientiane operates a medical clinic that can be accessed by Australians in emergencies.
Many doctors and hospitals require cash payment prior to providing services, even for emergency care.
Avian Influenza: Australians should read this advice in conjunction with our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed deaths from avian influenza and outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds in the region. The Department of Health advises Australians who reside in Laos for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Australians intending to travel to Laos for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.
If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Laos should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Laos should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.
In September 2005 the Australian Government decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at its embassy in Laos. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. The Australian Embassy will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas and it is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza). There are very limited stocks of antiviral medicines in Laos.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations
and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful
tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
|
|
