Serious Gold Sourcing Fuels $150M Trade Push at Bangkok Gems Fair

The 73rd Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, held from February 22 to February 26, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, mounted an ambitious trade push: organizers set a target of exceeding 150 million USD and expanded the footprint to accommodate more exhibitors. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) presented more than 1,300 companies across over 2,800 booths, and expected attendance topped 45,000 visitors as the fair closed its five-day run.

The fair’s scale was underscored by tangible infrastructure changes. JETRO listed an expected floor size of 47,000 sq.m., and the organizers opened the Plenary Hall on Level 1 to host more than 200 additional booths, a deliberate response to "strong demand from both Thai and international exhibitors." That physical expansion folded into a broader ambition to recapture commerce for colored stones, fine jewelry and gold sourcing at an international level.

Organizers framed the 73rd edition as the logical successor to a record-breaking 72nd fair that recorded 4.7 billion THB in trade and welcomed more than 46,000 visitors from 121 countries. Collection’s post-event assessment described the fair as having "firmly established itself" as transformative rather than merely transactional, language that reflected both the numbers and the curated programming on display.

At a January 22, 2026 press conference, DITP Director-General Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij reflected on the fair’s trajectory and ambitions. She said, "Bangkok Gems has experienced remarkable growth in terms of exhibitor numbers, visitor attendance, and trade value. The fair is now recognized as one of the world’s four most important gems and jewelry trade fairs and is the largest global marketplace for colored gemstones. To accommodate strong demand from both Thai and international exhibitors, the organizers have expanded the exhibition area to include the Plenary Hall on Level 1, allowing the 73rd edition to host more than 200 additional booths. This further reinforces Thailand’s position as a global gems and jewelry trading hub. The event will feature more than 1,300 companies, over 2,800 booths from more than 20 countries, and is expected to attract over 45,000 visitors, generating trade"

Product variety on the show floor ranged across categories catalogued by JETRO: gemstones, pearls, diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, fine and gold jewelry, silver jewelry, synthetic stones, jewelry parts, and machinery and tools. Organizers and exhibitors emphasized OEM and ODM services as a key highlight, a signal that buyers seeking consistent gold sourcing and bespoke manufacturing solutions were a primary audience this year.

Cultural programming gave the commercial rush a local texture. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presided over the opening ceremony, and a special exhibition showcased jewelry designs created under her vision and crafted by Thailand’s master artisans, framed as a continuation of Queen Sirikit’s handicraft initiatives.

Exhibitors such as Shop RMC positioned their booths around B2B sourcing: premium gems and beads, refined cuts and curated stones intended for retail and manufacturing buyers. Social media summed up the mood succinctly: "This is where serious sourcing happens. If your industry you simply can visit. OCR. Bangkok gem show DAI 1 GG at the biggest gem show in Bangkok."

Practical details for visitors and buyers reflected an open industry posture. Admission was listed as available to trade and the general public, with free registration options and on-site ticketing; organizer contact remains the DITP Office of Lifestyle Trade Promotion, 563 Nonthaburi Rd., Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi 11000,Thailand, telephone +66 2 507 8393, email pr.lifestyle@ditp.go.th. As the market evaluates final totals, the industry will watch whether the 150 million USD ambition cements Thailand’s claim as a global sourcing hub for colored gemstones and gold.