via Thai PBS, 04 September 2023: Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau officers apprehended three treasure hunters and confiscated more than 1,000 ancient artifacts, including items over 1,600 years old, recovered using metal detectors at various archaeological sites. The seized items, including pottery, coins, and decorative pieces, represent the ancient trade routes spanning Southeast Asia and India. The gang’s illegal trade, facilitated through social media, was exposed after the treasures were offered online at low prices. The arrested individuals face legal action for the illegal possession and sale of these artifacts. More news stories below.
Many of the confiscated antiques were displayed to the media during a press conference held at the CIB headquarters Monday morning.
Phanombut Chantarachot, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, told the media that officials had discovered that many artefacts were recently being offered for sale on social media and the police were asked to investigate.
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CIB Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop Phuridet said the three treasure hunters travelled to archaeological sites in several northern provinces and Ratchaburi to search for buried artefacts.
See also:
- Traders arrested with hundreds of illegal artefacts | Bangkok Post, 04 Sep 2023
- Antique hunters nabbed with over 1,000 artefacts and 10 million baht earnings | The Thaiger, 05 Sep 2023
- Cops bust antique smugglers | Bangkok Post, 05 Sep 2023
- Thailand Seizes Antiquities Traded on Facebook | OCCRP, 06 Sep 2023
- Fine Arts Department alarmed at spate of archeological robbery | Chiang Mai City Life, 09 Sep 2023
- Thailand cracks down on illicit artefact racket: Trio arrested with trove of history | The Thaiger, 11 Sep 2023
