As if the beautiful scenery, burgeoning democracy, and religious devotion to penises wasn’t enough, Bhutan gives us another reason to book our next vacation there: They love to party!

In Thimphu, trendy bars and pubs have mushroomed. They are popular with young city-dwellers who drop by most evenings for a drink after work. During a night of pub-hopping in Thimphu, I saw most places choc-a-bloc with young men and women. Alcohol swigging, swirling cigarette smoke and uninhibited laughter. In one, a few couples were dancing to loud music. The health secretary, Dr Thinley, says the government is working on awareness campaigns to encourage people to drink in moderation, and also keep a check on the liquor brewed from rice at home. [BBC News]

Sure, the incessant carousing has led to rampant alcoholism, but so does marriage, and you don’t see anybody leading a crusade against that. Well, at least not against heterosexual marriage.

BBC News: Bhutan faces up to alcohol problem