Do tuk-tuk drivers get a commission from gem shops?

Yeah, tuk-tuk drivers and unlicensed tour guides get fairly big commissions, usually between 15% and 50%, from certain gem shops when they bring foreign tourists in. That concealed payout is then tacked onto the final amount you pay for the jewellery.

The whole arrangement is so embedded that drivers will sometimes craft strange narratives about why your preferred place is closed, failing, or even counterfeit, then push you towards a so-called “government-backed” or “wholesale” showcase instead. For better pricing and to protect authenticity, you should look up independent sellers on your own, walk over to the shop if possible, or set up your own direct ride, but don’t mention your destination until you’re already inside the vehicle.