Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE WAR ON THE GEM SCAM
We're begging you, if you aren't a gem trader, don't buy unset stones in Thailand - period. Countless tourists are
sucked into the prolific and well-rehearsed gem scam in which they are taken to a store by a helpful stranger and
tricked into buying bulk gems that can supposedly be resold in their home country for 100% profit. The expert
con artists (part of a well-organised cartel) seem trustworthy and convince tourists they need a citizen of the
country to circumvent tricky customs regulations. Guess what, the gem world doesn't work like that, and what
most tourists end up with are worthless pieces of glass. By the time you sort all this out, the store has closed,
changed names and the police can do little to help.
Want to know more or want to report a scam? Visit 2bangkok.com and navigate down to the 'Gem Scam' page
for years' worth of tracking the phenomenon, or go to
Thai Gems Scam Group
(
www.oocities.org/thaigemscam-
group/
) for photos of touts who troll the temples for victims. The tourist police can also help to resolve some pur-
chase disputes, but don't expect miracles.
Asiatique
(
www.thaiasiatique.com
; Soi 72-76, Th Charoen Krung; 4-11pm; shuttle boat from Tha Sathon (Central Pier))
At press time Bangkok's buzziest market, Asiatique takes the form of rows of open-air
warehouses of commerce next to Mae Nam Chao Phraya. A slightly more upscale version
of Chatuchak Market, shoppers can expect clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs and quite a few
dining and drinking venues. To get here, take one of the frequent shuttle boats from Tha
Sathon (Central Pier) between 4pm and 11.30pm.
MARKET
Thanon Khao San Market
(Th Khao San; 10am-midnight; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu))
The main guesthouse strip in
Banglamphu is a day-and-night shopping bazaar for serious baht pinchers, with cheap T-
shirts, 'bootleg' CDs, wooden elephants, hemp clothing, fisherman pants and other goods
that make backpackers go ga-ga.
SOUVENIRS
Pratunam Market
CLOTHING
(cnr Th Phetchaburi & Th Ratchaprarop; 10am-10pm; klorng boat to Tha Pratunam, Ratchathewi exit 4)
The city's biggest wholesale clothing market, Pratunam is a tight warren of stalls trickling
deep into the block. In addition to cheap T-shirts and jeans, luggage, bulk toiletries and
souvenirs are also available.
Thanon Sukhumvit Market
SOUVENIRS
