The fatal poisoning of at least six people, including two Australians, in Laos has triggered a police operation at tourist bars in a Thai city popular with travellers.
Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died last week after falling critically ill while holidaying together in the city of Vang Vieng.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: 7NEWS joins Udon Thani tourist police operation in Thailand.
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A British woman, an American and two Danish people also died in recent days following a spate of suspected poisonings in the popular backpacker destination, according to authorities.
7NEWS reporter, Bill Hogan, spoke to police about their operation in Udon Tahani, just south of the Thailand border — another hotspot for Australian travellers.
“Concerned by what has happened, they are taking drastic measures to ensure that the streets are safe for all visitors, including carrying out raids and inspecting licensed locations,” he said.
Officers told Hogan, they were visiting popular bars in the area every night, performing checks and speaking to travellers.
Among their checks, they inspected licences and alcohol to ensure compliance.
Hogan also spoke to a handful of Australian expats and travellers in the area, who said they were on edge following the tragedy in Laos.
“You’ve got to be very careful and very cautious,” John Marotta told 7NEWS.
“As an Australian, it’s just a terrible tragedy, hopefully it’s just a one-off … a terrible situation that won’t happen again,” Paul Jukes added.
Multiple deaths confirmed
The police crackdown in Laos comes after horrific details emerged of the Australian girls’ final days.
Bowles had been on life support in critical condition for several days in neighbouring Thailand after being evacuated from Laos following a night out and died on Friday. Jones died in a separate Thai hospital on Thursday.
“It is with broken hearts and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Bowles’ family said in a statement late on Friday.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences”, the family said.
Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday that a British woman had died in Laos. She was later named as lawyer Simone White, 28. Her law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, paid tribute to White on Friday, saying she had a “bright future ahead of her”.
White’s parents said in a statement that they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.
Their “hearts go out” to the other families “affected by this terrible tragedy”, they said.
An American citizen has also died in Vang Vieng, the US State Department confirmed.
– With CNN