Over 100 Thai Artifacts Remain Abroad Despite Recent Repatriations

via Benar News, 21 December 2023: Thailand is set to recover the 11th-century ‘Golden Boy’ statue and other Angkor era statues from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. However, over 100 Thai artifacts still remain abroad, with the Thai government formally requesting the return of about 30 items, a process complicated by the lack of explicit prohibition against selling Thai antiquities overseas. In contrast, Cambodia’s successful repatriation efforts stem from its clear stance against the export of Khmer art. The ‘Golden Boy’ case took over three years of negotiations, exemplifying the complexities of repatriating stolen artifacts

When an American museum announced last week that it would return two Angkor era statues to Thailand, including the well-known “Golden Boy ” dating to the 11th century, the emotive issue of stolen antiquities became a hot topic here.

Turns out, many Thais discovered that more than 100 stolen artifacts from their country are scattered in museums worldwide, according to experts.

But the Thai government, for now, has formally requested the return of only about 30 items – the repatriation of artifacts is a long process – and even those efforts have so far proven futile, according to noted local archaeologist Thanongsak Hanwong.

“We have officially submitted documents requesting the return of over 30 artifacts to various countries,” Thanongsak, who’s also a member of a government committee for the repatriation of stolen artifacts, told BenarNews.

“Additionally, there are about ten more cases where official requests have yet to be sent. However, Thai embassies abroad are negotiating their return. Some museums are reluctant to publicize these repatriations.”

Source: Thailand to recover ‘Golden Boy,’ but over 100 stolen artifacts remain abroad — BenarNews