Original documents referred to:
Chapter 1 is derived from Introductory Remarks for the National Workshop on Improved Benzoin Production, 12-14 May 1998 in Luang Prabang, by M. Kashio with his additional writing, and the report Gum Benzoin: Its Markets and Marketing and the Opportunities and Constraints to Their Improvement in Lao PDR. July 1997, by J.J.W. Coppen.
Chapter 2 is derived from the above report by J.J.W. Coppen (July 1997).
Chapter 3 is derived from the report Physical and Socio-Economic Conditions of Benzoin Production in Northern Laos, 1997, by M. Fischer, and Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, Back-to-office Report, January 1994, by M. Kashio.
Chapter 4 is derived from the reports Technical Cooperation Project: Improved Benzoin Production in Lao PDR. First Mission Report, 1996, Second, Third and Fourth Mission Reports, 1997, and Fifth Mission Report, 1998, by K. Pinyopusarerk.
Chapter 5 is derived from the report Lao PDR Improved Benzoin Production, Monograph Report, 1998, by P. Sroithongkham. This report was prepared to consolidate several benzoin tapping and processing consultant reports by W. Subansenee, Y. Kangkarn, and P. Sroithongkham himself.
Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9 are derived from the report by J.J.W. Coppen (July 1997).
Chapter 10 is derived mainly from The Proceedings of the National Workshop on Improved Benzoin Production, 12-14 May 1998 in Luang Prabang, edited by M. Fischer and K. Pinyopusarerk, with some inputs from the report by J.J.W. Coppen (July 1997).
Use of the terms Siam benzoin and Lao benzoin:
Siam benzoin and Lao benzoin refer to the same product from Styrax tonkinensis. The former name is used almost universally outside Lao PDR when it is necessary to distinguish benzoin of Lao origin from that produced in Indonesia (Sumatra benzoin). The name originates from the previous importance of Thailand (old name Siam) as an international exit point for benzoin. The latter name is used for the benzoin specifically produced in Lao PDR. Both terms are used in this publication.
Spellings for the names of provinces:
There are many different spellings of the names of provinces even in officially released government documents. To be consistent in their uses in this publication, the following spellings have been adopted. The spellings in the parentheses show other spellings often seen.
Luang Prabang (Luangprabang, Luangphrabang)
Phong Saly (Phongsaly, Phongsali)
Houaphan (Houaphanh, Houa Phan, Houa Phang)
Oudomxay (Oudomxai, Oudomsai)
Xieng Khuang (Xiengkhuang, Xiang Kwang)
Luang Namtha (Luangnamtha)
