Laos, Thailand & the Philippines — Emerging and Overlooked Origins

Beyond the well-known oud origins of India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, several countries produce agarwood that deserves far more attention than it typically receives. Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines each offer unique contributions to the global oud landscape. Laos has quietly emerged as a significant player in the agarwood world. The country’s dense forests, particularly in the southern provinces of Champasak and Attapeu, harbour wild Aquilaria crassna populations. Lao oud tends to share the sweet, approachable character of Cambodian oud but often with a slightly greener, more herbal dimension. Lao plantation operations are expanding rapidly, with significant investment from both domestic and international players. Thailand is the global leader in Aquilaria plantation cultivation. The eastern provinces of Trat, Chanthaburi, and Sa Kaeo host thousands of hectares of cultivated crassna trees. Thai plantation oud has improved dramatically in quality over the past decade as trees mature and distillers refine their techniques. While purists may prefer wild specimens, the best Thai plantation ouds offer genuine quality and consistency that wild sources simply cannot match at scale. The Philippines is perhaps the most overlooked oud origin of all. Several Aquilaria species grow in the Philippine archipelago, including Aquilaria cumingiana and Aquilaria apiculata. Philippine agarwood has a distinctive character — often lighter and more floral than mainland Southeast Asian varieties, with a clean, almost citrus-tinged brightness that is immediately recognisable. These three countries represent the future of accessible, sustainably produced oud. As wild stocks from traditional origins continue to decline, the importance of responsible cultivation in Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines will only grow. Collectors and traders who explore these origins now will be ahead of the curve. 💬 Discussion: Have you tried oud from Laos, Thailand, or the Philippines? Were you surprised by the quality?