Dates set for rival Thailand jewellery fairs

Posted January 24, 2017 | By Emily Mobbs • Former Editor

Following industry confusion last year, the 2017 dates and venues of Thailand’s two independently organised jewellery fairs appear to have been finalised.

The 59th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF), hosted by the Thai government’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), is scheduled to take place at the Impact Exhibition Centre in Bangkok from 22 February to 26 February.

Meanwhile, after a failed first attempt, the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) has announced that its inaugural Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair (TGJF) will be held from 15 June to 18 June. Its event will also take place at the Impact Exhibition Centre.

Suttipong Damrongsakul, TGJTA president

As previously reported by Jeweller, the new TGJF was originally slated for 7 September to 11 September 2016; however, the show was postponed because of venue conflicts.

“Due to a dispute that had risen regarding the venue, the TGJTA is unable to secure the necessary space to organise the fair during the stated timeframe,” TGJTA president Suttipong Damrongsakul said at the time.

A recent TGJTA industry release stated that exhibitor and visitor feedback regarding the 2017 TGJF had been “extraordinary” and that the event would provide a dynamic environment for gemstone and jewellery trading.

“With the TGJTA’s experience and in-depth understanding of the gems and jewellery industry, combined with over 30 years’ experience in organising gems and jewellery fairs, the TGJTA is ideally positioned to host the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair 2017,” the statement read.

Industry uncertainty

Confusion was arguably created when news broke in mid-2016 that the TGJTA was launching its own fair. Until the announcement, TGJTA held the rights to organise the ‘traditional’ government-owned biannual BGJF.

Making matters more complicated was the fact that the 58th edition of the BGJF was scheduled to take place at the same time – 7 September to 11 September 2016 – and venue as the TGJF show.

The 58th BGJF was held at the Impact Exhibition Centre in September as planned and reportedly included more than 2,200 Thai and international exhibitors. The 60th edition is scheduled to take place from 6 September to 10 September 2017.

The TGJTA was established more than 40 years ago and the DITP was founded about 65 years ago.