Gemopolis

Gemopolis is the Free Tax Zone and the centre for gems and jewellery manufacture and trade, supported by the Royal Thai Government. Within the area of 300 acres at Km.12 of the Bang Na-Trat Route, there are gem and jewellery factories, a trading centre, Gemological Institute, as well as relevant facilities and services. Products bought from Gemopolis are reliable for quality and price. Call 727-0020 for more information.

Gem Scam: One of the most pervasive scams in Thailand is the Thai gem scam. Typically, a tourist meets a friendly Thai at a tourist attraction who eventually offers to take them to a "government" gem stone shop where the tourist is told about how they can sell Thai "blue sapphires" or other gems back home and make a 100% profit. It is all lies, of course, and the tourist ends up with a pocket full of overpriced gems. Like Thais themselves, the scam is low-key and the touts are friendly rather than pushy. A rule of thumb for Thais is that "real" Thais do not just walk up to strangers and strike up a friendly conversation. Thais typically "speak when spoken to." If you are approached at a tourist attraction by a friendly fellow who just walks up and starts speaking to you, watch out!