MeMock does Laos

[Marmite the Dog]

Bumping old threads usually gets deleted...

[kingwilly]

particularly if they make one of the Dawgs look silly !

[Marmite the Dog]

particularly if they make on of the Dawgs look silly !

You're not too bothered about appearing silly, obviously.

[MeMock]

particularly if they make one of the Dawgs look silly !

not hard is it

[mrsquirrel]

How do you buy trees in Laos then?

Is it easier than Thailand? Do you one the land outright or not?

[MeMock]

Hi Squirrel.

We are using a small company in loas to source and purchase the trees for us. They don't charge for this service because they have a vested interest as they are the only company allowed to sell the kits (a type of poison injected into the tree to help bring on the heart wood)

We have only purchased the trees (around 5 years old) not the land. However we have got a 5 hectare block (approx 30 rai I think) that we have leased for 20 years. This already has some trees which we will harvest but will mainly be using it as a research block.

[Butch72]

Hi MeMock - may I ask what is the name of the village where your brother's plantation is? I am familiar with that area and recognise the places and landscapes in your photos.

Agarwood is a fascinating investment, especially if you can use the technology to induce 'mai dam' development. I trust you have good land tenure arrangements and hope the 'mai dam' price stays high - the market certainly seems to have high demand.

[MeMock]

Hi Butch,

Glad to hear of someone else who has heard of the trees and yes I do hope the prices stay high although I think they are only going to increase at this stage.

My brother and I have actually started a company so will let you know when we are ready for bigger investors (once we have proven it can work)

Land tenure is a big problem however especially in what is still a commo country. We are working through it and haven't invested too much yet as we are still testing the waters.

We have a few small plantations scattered around the place but Ban lakxao is the main place we are spending out time.

[Butch72]

MeMock - I tried sending the following by PM - but I don't have that privilege due to low post count. So I'm posting here instead. Apologies for discussing details of your business in a public forum......

Hi MeMock,
I was asking about the village name because I know of there are a few developments in the Lak20 area and that there are various concessions which GoL is selling for land in the area. In general, the compensation paid for such 'compulsory purchase' of land is way below market rate!

I guess you have covered all of these angles before buying - but it's still a concern. I am sure you know of the massive cassava concession owned by a Chinese co. in the area - yet to be planted and also the hydropower project planned there - which will flood quite large areas of land.

By the way, I'm not looking to invest - just offering some friendly advice....I've been in Laos for 15yrs now and know of some of the things you're going through.

Best,
Butch

[ralphinlaos]

I've lived in Laos for the past nine years and have enjoyed most of it. No hassle. Low traffic. No noise (I live in the country). Lovely people.

When I lived just outside Vientiane, there was a guy (an NGO, I think) who was trying to grow strawberries. He had a huge tract of land and was out on it working all the time. It's so hot here, I cannot see how he had any success with strawberries (although I do think they grow them in Pakse - or Paxan, I'm not sure).

And another guy trying to develop some sort of solar-power business here; I wonder whatever happened to him?

Laos is a great place to live if you are self-sufficient and do not need constant entertainment. A very simple life.

Ralph

[MeMock]

Hi Butch, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I really appreciate your concern and the information that you have provided me.

It really is a tricky situation what goes on in Laos. Think how bad Thailand is... now double it.

We have got a lot to learn thats for sure. We are still going ahead in small steps and I will be over there in November for our first small scale harvest so will have a much better idea after that as to what direction to go in if any at all.

What have you been doing in Laos for 15 years?