Thailand, Chanthaburi | Aranya Prathet - Siam Ruby

Thailand's Chanthaburi Province alluvial sapphire pit-mines are located in the Aranyaprathet District (Aranya Prathet), about 280 km east of Bangkok. The Chanthaburi region is known for ruby mining (Siam Ruby) and gem trading, dealing in Thai and Cambodian material. The town of Chanthaburi (aka Muang Chan) is known as Thailand's "City of Gems," and is one of the world's leading sapphire and ruby trading centers.

In Chanthaburi Province, there are both hand-dug small-scale mining operations, and large-scale mechanized alluvial ruby mines. Small-scale pit-mining is conducted at the Ban Bo I-Ram, Bo Na Wong, Bo Waen, and Wat Tok Phrom mining areas. Larger mechanized mines in the Aranyaprathet/Chanthaburi region are the Bon Rai ruby mine and Nong Bon ruby mine, approximately 10 km from the Cambodian boarder.