On January 13, 2015, Mr. Waing Kong Ho, Chairman of the 'Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences' (AIGS), passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
Originally from Burma, Mr. Ho brought his family to Thailand in 1964. It is from here that started 'World Lapidary Co., Ltd.', while also operating a gem brokerage business. Ho's honesty, reliability and modesty was appreciated by buyers and sellers alike and his name soon became well-known throughout the international gems and jewelry community.
He was one of the true pioneers of the Thai gemstone industry and is recognized for bringing modernity and growth to a country that was fast becoming the "Gemstone Capital of the World". Ho's vision brought forth the founding of AIGS, as Asia's first professional gem school and testing laboratory. A non-profit venture, the objective of AIGS was to provide the best gemological training in Asia and to maintain the highest standards of professionalism within the industry.
Ho was also one of the founders of the 'Thai Gems and Jewelry Traders' Association' and worked alongside it's members to remove import duties on diamonds. Known as the 'Diamond City Plan', the aim of this proposal was for Thailand become - initially as a cottage industry, but later in the form of large-scale industrial production - a major world diamond-cutting center. He believed that colored stones and diamonds always went hand-in-hand and argued that one would always be incomplete without the other. Additionally, he was among the first in Thailand to import non-indigenous rough gemstones from such places as Australia, Tanzania, Russia, Taiwan, Columbia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Canada, China, India, Brazil and the United States.
Mr. Ho is also credited for building Asia's largest gems and jewelry marketplace, the 'Jewelry Trade Center' (JTC). Bangkok's tallest skyscraper upon its 1996 completion, this multi-purpose complex comprises of 180,000 square-meters of office, retail and residential space, situated on 58 floors. Now, twenty years later after opening, the JTC still remains as one of the world's most prominent gemstone and jewelry trading hubs.
Ho's success is attributed to his hard work, sacrifices, dedication and a relentless commitment to sharing his knowledge to help others. Having provided much of the foundation and stability that the gemstone and jewelry industry here in Thailand now enjoys, Waing Kong Ho's spirit lives in our hearts as we express our sincere gratitude for all that he has done in his life.