Myanmar helpless against illegal trade of antique cultural objects

via Myanmar Times, 18 December 2020: The Myanmar Archaeology Association is calling for an agreement between Thailand and Myanmar to facilitate the return of looted antiquities which are being sold in the open market.

Myanmar is helpless against the illegal trade of Myanmar antique cultural objects, which are sold brazenly in nearby Thailand and other countries, an archeologist lecturer from the University of Yangon.

U Saw Tun Lin told a meeting of Myanmar Archeology Association that antique cultural objects from ancient civilizations in the country are traded brazenly in the blackmarket, including on social media.

“The (foreign) governments couldn’t take action against the black market for antique cultural objects,” he said. “Even the crimes and punishment under the law are notharsh. Despite the enactment of law, it was ineffective. Right now, we are seeing people selling these things out in the open even on social media.”

Source: Myanmar helpless against illegal trade of antique cultural objects | The Myanmar Times