The father of a teenager who died alongside her best friend after drinking methanol-laced alcohol in Laos is warning Australians not to travel to the country.
Shaun Bowles' plea comes as pressure mounts on Australia's ambassador to Laos to provide an update on the investigation into the deaths of his daughter Holly Morton-Bowles and her best friend Bianca Jones.
The 19-year-olds from Melbourne's Bayside were backpacking through the southeast Asian nation in late 2024 when they were fatally poisoned with methanol while drinking at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.
At least six foreigners died during the mass poisoning event, including British woman Simone White, a US tourist and two young Danish women.
Mr Bowles and Bianca's father Mark Jones said they were relying on a group chat with Ms White's family for updates from the UK government.
That's how they learned 10 people connected to the hostel faced court in January and were fined $185 for destroying evidence.
Those involved were also given suspended sentences, according to the group chat.
Despite the Laotian court's sentence for the related case, no changes have been pressed over Holly and Bianca's deaths.
"We feel that there hasn't been enough pressure put on the Laos government," Mr Bowles told 3AW on Tuesday.
"We can't get into the country, we're out of options - we need the government to help us."
Mr Bowles suggested young travellers should forget about Laos and focus on other nations.
"Don't go," he warned.
"We've seen first-hand. They have no appreciation of life and they've shown that by sweeping this under the carpet."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the destruction of evidence charges only related to the American tourist's death.
The department has apologised to the families for failing to keep them informed about the court outcome, admitting they "fell short".
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley took up the case in federal parliament, calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to summon the Laotian ambassador for a "formal explanation" about the "weak prosecutions".
"Australians are appalled," she said.
In question time, Mr Albanese acknowledged the events of the last 24 hours had "added to the heartbreak" of the families.
"We'll continue to engage Laos authorities on these cases and we'll do everything we can to support Holly and Bianca's families at this distressing time," he said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who has previously met the victims' families, had outright contempt for the court outcome.
"You can't even really call it a punishment, can you? It's just heartbreaking," she told reporters.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said she made it clear to her Laos counterpart Australia expected "full accountability" and stressed charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy.
The Laotian government previously vowed to "bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law".
The Laos Embassy has been contacted for comment.
