Kane Scriven, 40, died on New Year’s Day after a night of partying and heavy drinking with his pal Nick Parkin.
The NT News said 39-year-old Parkin from Perth died on January 4 in the capital Vientiane.
According to ABC radio both men died from drug overdoses, possibly from the same batch of drugs, although this has not been confirmed by Laotian or Australian authorities.
The two men had previously worked as crewmen for Workboats Northern Australia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed that the two Australian men had died but would not confirm whether the deaths were connected.
Family and friends of the dead men left messages on Facebook to remember the pair.
“My brother Nick died in Laos on the 4(th),” said Timothy Parkin.
The dangers of drug use in Laos are well documented.
“Some restaurants in popular tourist locations offer drug-laced food and drink which may contain harmful and unknown substances,” the Australian government’s smartraveller website warns. “The unknown additives in these foods and drinks can be dangerous and may result in serious illness and death.”
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