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Chanthaburi . 2008-05-28
Extending global communications bring some changes in Chanthaburi's rough gemstone market
Extending global communications bring some changes in Chanthaburi's rough gemstone market
Previously, gemstone rough had two principal supply ways.
-Through export of big companies in Africa. Gemstones from these sources were dispatched to rough brokers (principally Guinea citizens settled in Thailand) who go around looking for buyers.
-Through Thai importers who go themselves or send employees to the mining areas in Africa to buy rough gems.
Increasing facilities in the communication sector like airplane connections to East Africa, passport and visas facilitations, brings more and more independent miners directly to our Chanthaburi market.
Our city welcomes very much these people but overall results are mixed.
These people bring material for their own profit without going to middlemen, meaning cheaper goods for the market, which is the good part.
The bad effect is a security problem. Their arrival brings a lot of competition between settled african brokers and these new comers.
Tension and ethnic problems occur between rough brokers (mainly originated from Guinea) and these miners or representatives coming from other african countries.
We hope these problems inside the african community will be settled fast. If a massive expulsion occurs, as some officials asked for, it will bring huge problems to the rough gemstones supply.
Source : Roger Pingley
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