Myanmar and Thailand both have a rich supply of minerals. The minerals contained in this part of the world are precious stones such jade, rubies, and sapphires. Copper, nickel, silver, lead, tin and zinc are also found here. Large natural gas deposits have been found here along with petroleum. Thailand produces ten percent of the world's tin. The difference between the two countries is that Thailand has the means to mine and process the resources found in the area so they continue to prosper. Whereas Myanmar is much poorer and cannot capitalize on the resources it has.