The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) is the governmental organization in the form of a public organization in accordance with the Public Organization Act B.E. 2542 and was established in compliance with the Royal Decree on Establishment of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) B.E. 2546. The establishment was published in the Royal Gazette on December 31^st , 2003. The institute is under the supervision of Minister of Commerce.

Background, Mission, Objectives & Responsibility

On September 1st, 1998, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce (Mr.Sompol Kiatphaibool), Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Industry (Mr.Pricha Attavipach), Director-General of Department of Mineral Resources (Mr.Nopadon Mantajit), Director-General of Department of Industrial Promotion (Mr.Manu Leopairote), Deputy Director-General of Department of Export Promotion (Mrs.Chantra Purnariksha), representatives from Thai Gem and Jewelry Trader Association (Mr.Komson Opaseathavorn, Mr.Pornsit Sriorathaikul and Mr.Pichait Palanugool) and Dean of Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University (Prof.Sakda Siripant) held the meeting to discuss about establishing the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand and reached the conclusion that both ministries approved such establishment, with the cooperation from Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, in terms of premise and personnel. The meeting has assigned Ministry of Commerce the leading role to propose the institute establishment project to the Cabinet for consideration. The meeting of the Cabinet had the resolution to approve the establishment of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand on September 8th, 1998 as an independent organization of which management is not bound to the rules and regulations of bureaucracies and state enterprises. It was also ruled that the Public Organization Act, after it became effective, would be further applied.

After that, on September 9th, 1998, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce (Mr.Sompol Kiatphaibool), as the Chairman of the institute's Executive Board, along with Director-General of Department of Export Promotion (Mr.Sanit Vorapanya), President of Chulalongkorn University (Prof.Dr.Thienchay Kiranandana), Dean of Faculty of Science (Prof.Sakda Siripant), President (Mr.Komson Opaseathavorn) and Vice President (Mr.Pichait Palanugool) of Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association signed the memorandum of understanding of Gem and Jewelry Research and Development Collaboration Project at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in order to excel in technical knowledge and to develop as well as promote the export for gem and jewelry industry. Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Science granted the institute the 10-year permission (September 9th, 1998- September 9th, 2008) to use the Gem and Jewelry Research and Testing Building and the faculty’s equipment. The faculty also allowed its personnel to collaborate in gem and jewelry research and testing. On October 1st, 1998, the institute's Executive Board which consists of 28 representatives from public and private sectors with Mr. Sompol Kiatphaibool as the Chairman of the Board appointed Prof. Sakda Siripant as Director of the institute.

Subsequently, after the Public Organization Act B.E. 2542 had been published in the Royal Gazette on February 24th, 1999, the Institute proceeded to draft the Royal Decree on Establishment of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) in accordance with the guideline and process to establish a public organization as per the stipulation of the Office of Bureaucratic System Reform Commission, the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). On June 3rd, 2003, the Cabinet had the resolution to approve the principle of the Royal Decree and promulgated "the Royal Decree on Establishment of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization)" in the government gazette. Afterwards, the name of the institute was changed into "The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) (GIT)", principally purported to promote and support the Thai gem and jewelry industry for its competitiveness in terms of domestic and international trade.

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) has been administrated through its Executive Board which was set up according to the Royal Decree of the institute’s establishment (Section 15). The Board includes 11 members as follows:

Chairman selected from experts in gem and jewelry industry by the Cabinet

4 members of the Board by their positions (a representative from Ministry of Commerce, a representative from the Department of Nature and Environment, a representative from the Ministry of Industry and a representative from the Budget Office)

Expert Members (up to 5 persons) appointed by the Cabinet

Director of the institute serves as a member of the Board and the secretary of the Board.

After having been nominated by Director Selection Committee, during the 2nd Board Meeting of 2005 on February 14th, 2005, Mrs. Wilawan Atichat was appointed the Director of the institute by the Board. The resolution has been effective since March 1st, 2005.

After having been nominated by Director Selection Committee, during the 3rd Board Meeting of 2013 on March 20th, 2013, Mrs. Pornsawat Wathanakul was appointed the Director of the institute by the Board. The resolution has been effective since May 1st, 2013.

After having been nominated by Director Selection Committee, during the 7th Board Meeting of 2017 on June 29th, 2017, Mrs. Duangkamol Jiambutr was appointed the Director of the institute by the Board. The resolution has been effective since July 17th, 2017.

After having been nominated by Director Selection Committee, during the 12th Board Meeting of 2020 on September 22nd, 2020, Mr. Sumed Prasongpongchai was appointed the Director of the institute by the Board. The resolution has been effective since November 2nd, 2020.

Mission

1. To analyze, examine, classify, create standards and certify the quality of gem and jewelry as well as precious metals, in order to build up confidence in the quality of Thai gem and jewelry in such a way that it is accepted internationally.
2. To conduct research and develop gem and jewelry in full scale and to be in line with the needs of the gem and jewelry business.
3. Develop the quality of personnel in response the needs of the industry.
4. To prepare in-depth database of gem and jewelry marketing and poublicize such among the gem and jewelry business circle.
5. Act as the center in coordinating between the government and the private sectors domestically and abroad in order to upgrade the Thai gem and jewelry business to the international forefront level.

Objectives

1. Promote and develop the gem and jewelry industry for its supreme operability in the global market.
2. Represent the pincipal institute of quality of gem, jewelry and precious metals.
3. Encourage and improve the personnel in the gem and jewelry industry in order to meet the demand of the gem and jewelry industry.
4. Serve as the information center for the gem and jewelry industry to provide the service on data dissemination and public relations for the gem and jewelry industry to be steadfast and able to compete in any environment in the global market.

Responsibilities

1. Propose policies and plans for development of the gem and jewelry industry.
2. Conduct research, inspect and examine gem jewelry and precious metals and then issue the quality assurance certificates
3. Provide training for government offcials, entrepreneurs and general public in order to increase their knowledge and skills required by the gem and jewelry industry;
4. Collect, analyze and synthesize the information and statistics in order to build the database of gem and jewelry industry; and
5. Coordinate and establish agreement and collaboration with domestic and international organizations according to the objective of the institute.
6. Issue certificates, certifications, and insignias for activities aligned with the objectives and responsibilities of the institution.
7. Organize and provide funding to support the operations of the institution.
8. Establish regulations regarding the safety and maintenance of the institution's assets.
9. Undertake any other necessary or ongoing actions to achieve the institution's objectives.

Announcement of The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization)

Commitment to Practice with Integrity and Honesty