| Re: "Laid-back Laos," by Ashifa Kassam, Travel, December 1-7, 2005.
I very much enjoyed the article on travelling in Laos, as it brought back memories of one of the most beautiful places I've ever been filled with the kindest people I've ever met. Sadly, Ashifa Kassam correctly identifies that tourism is taking its toll on Laos. Many Western tourists feel that it's not only acceptable but necessary to disregard local customs and traditions in Laos as well as the rest of Southeast Asia.
Poor countries such as Laos are unable to set limits with respect to tourists and the steady stream of money coming into the country. Southeast Asia has in many ways become the frat party of the new millennium, giving Westerners licence to make total jackasses out of themselves. Regrettably, the legacy of the Western tourist is drugs, prostitution, and Coca Cola.
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