SHOPPING

THE NEXT DAY MY FRIEND AND I WENT TO A LARGE JEWELRY RETAIL
CENTER, THE ROYAL LAPIDARY NEAR THE ROYAL PALACE IN BANGKOK.
THAILAND HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST SOURCES OF GEMSTONES IN THE WORLD AND THIS PLACE IS WELL KNOWN FOR IT'S VAST SELECTION OF GEMS. WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED BY THE BEAUTY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE GEMS ON DISPLAY THERE. WE DID NOT PURCHASE ANY JEWELRY AS WE WERE ON A BUDGET- WE BOUGHT SMALL SOUVENIRS FOR OURSELVES.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE MANY STORIES AND ACCUSATIONS OF SCAMS THERE. CLAIMS THAT THE GEMS ARE NOT AUTHENTIC OR THAT NO REFUNDS ARE ALLOWED AFTER PURCHASE.
I DON'T KNOW- WE DID NOT PURCHASE GEMS- IF YOU GO THERE- YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE FOR YOURSELF.

WE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY WALKING AROUND, WINDOW SHOPPING AND GOING TO THE INTERNET CAFE NEAR THE HOTEL.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k4006426-l29230006-Scammed_Insert_Expletive_My_Royal_Lapidary_Purchase-Bangko...