(Thanks to Kirikou on LonelyPlanet!)

Warning - you may catch diamond fever.

In advertising it's called the land of smiles. But to many their holiday to Thailand gets a bitter aftertaste - they are tricked into buying gems for their entire travel budget.

For at least 20 years tourists have been tricked into getting gems in primarily Bangkok. Gems that while not fakes are of very low quality. Reports indicate that around 15,000 tourists a year are set up. Authorities' inability to stop the swindle could be explained by it being protected by high powers in the society. The typical bluff: Tourists meet common Thais at some major sight (i.e Grand Palace in Bangkok). This (the Thai) then offers to bring the party to a "government" gem shop where they happen to have some campaign with fantastic prices just this week.

Sightseeing to the gem shop

Another variety - there are plentiful - are tuk tuk drivers (not seldomly at Khao San Road) offering sightseeing for only a couple of kroner (SEK), a tour which always ends at a gem shop. There are enduring travellers who have complained to the tourist police and succeeded in getting back parts of the amount - but most must go home emptyhanded. Yet the chance of succeeding has increased since the Thai Gem Scam Group was founded in April of 2002. The group consists of 178 fraud victims from 23 countries. In Thailand actions have been taken [by the TGSG] several times and one has achieved attention in media and received treaths. The hope is that authorities shall wake up - this is not good publicity for the country. At Thai Gem Scam Group's website one may see photos of scammers in their "hall of shame", read about involved shops and get tips and help in getting back parts of the money.

Have in mind that
-Most Thais are friendly, but shy. Spontaneously approaching strangers is therefore suspicious. Especially in touristy areas. Nor is it likely that anyone has a sister celebrating her birthday today or who wants to learn Swedish.
-The scammers pick their victims among newly arrived and less observant travellers. Be particularly cautious the first few days.
-Read more about gem scams in Thailand:

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