Had one overnight stop in Bangkok en route home to UK from Australia & fell victims to, what I now have discovered, is a well-known jewellery scam. Beware the Yindee Lapidary Company 1091/75-77 Petchburi Rd Soi 33 Makasan.
My husband bought me a set of necklace, ear-rings and ring for 17000 baht which is probably worth a fraction of that.
Scenario- tuk tuk driver approaches you. You ask to be taken to Royal palace but he tells you that it is closed to tourists until afternoon. he will take you to nearby temple. En route he suggests government jewellery shop. You demer but he says he gets petrol coupon and you only need look. At the temple an older well dressed man talks to you. He also mentions jewellery shop and tells you that today ( for one day only)there is 30% off. Suggests you make for the 2nd floor where there are bargains.
The shop seems genuine (even as TAT sign in window)
BUT BEWARE
Try putting Yindee Lapidary into Google to see other shops which also take part in these scams

As has been often the advice on this board- avoid the Tuk Tuks - period!

what are the recommended jewelry stores in BKK? I've noted Kathies great suggestion (SJ Jewelers)..any other so that one avoid the shady ones?

NEVER EVER GO WITH A TUK TUK DRIVER OR TAXI DRIVER OR ANYONE WHO APPROACHES YOU FOR BUYING ANYTHING....EVER!!!!!

i like thia stone jewelry in the nana hotel on soi 4, sukhumvit rd....terrible hotel but good shop although on the surface it does not look like much, unlike SJ which kathie suggests often...

thai stone is family run....they offer some readi-made jewelry but also do a huge custom made business....we do mostly custom with them....it does not cost much more to have it made to order and then you have a one of a kind piece, made for you..

huge savings over usa prices...

There are many reputable jewelry stores in Bangkok. You can get recommendations on this board, you can also ask your hotel concierge for recommendations.

The clues that a jewelry store is NOT reputable are that a taxi or tuk-tuk driver takes you there ("so they can get their gas coupon&quot, someone who represents themselves as an ex-pat who buys enough jewelry to finance their trip accosts you and recommends this store, the store is a "government store" and is having a one day only sale only for visitors, etc.

Ashamed to admit my husband and I fell for the exact same ploy two years ago. We parted with BHT 80,000 for saphire jewelry. Though we were not completely ripped off, the appraisal from our local jeweler was about for the amount we paid and I've since seen much much nicer pieces here in the US for a lot less money.
We leave for BKK in two weeks and I guarantee we will not be doing ANY shopping by Tuk tuk or taxi (unless We give an address to the driver that I have been given by one of you!)
Again, Thanks to you all for your wonderful tips and advice.
Getting excited about our trip
Sue

Sue- you were warned not to ride the Tuk Tuks- period! Like the old saying goes fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

If anyone from the UK has had a similar experience, please write to Mr Bansarn Bunnag, Minister, Royal Thai Embassy 30 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5JB enclosing a copy of invoice/receipts. It would help us all if these fraudsters were stopped.