Thailand Pearl Farm

Thailand Pearl Farm

At first glance, businessman Jitti Intorncharoen, in simple shirt and jeans, cuts a salt-of-the-earth type figure.

But actually, he is the managing director of the Phuket Pearl Factory group, the biggest producer of pearl jewellery in the province.

The company is the country's first pearl producer with a fully integrated process. It runs two pearl farms and a factory for sorting out pearls and producing and designing pearl jewellery.

The company plays a part in pulling in tourist money for Phuket and serves as a learning centre for those interested in seeking knowledge about the production of pearls.

Mr Jitti's educational background is in forestry science although he has made a living away from the forests and dry land.

He said the enterprise began in 1967 as a family business run by his grandfather.

Initially, his grandfather farmed cockles and then turned to raising pearl oysters for distribution to pearl producers before his parents took over the business.

More about Thailand pearl farm