Some of the artifacts being returned to Cambodia.Bangkok Post
By: ANUCHA CHAROENPO AND LAMPHAI INTATHEP
Published: 25/02/2009
Thailand will return to Cambodia seven Khmer artifacts seized by Thai authorities nearly 10 years ago.
The decision to return the objects was approved by the cabinet meeting in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi yesterday. It was in line with a Thai-Cambodian agreement to return all cultural properties to their country of origin.
The seven sandstone pieces are among 43 items thought to have been smuggled into Thailand. These seven objects are the only ones verified by the Fine Arts Department as being from Cambodia, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.
The rest were being examined and would be returned if they were found to from Cambodia, he said.
All seven are part of the heads of ancient Khmer deities and giants made in the Bayon style.
"The return of these artifacts will help strengthen relations between Thailand and Cambodia," Mr Panitan said.
Fine Arts Department chief Kriengkrai Sampatchali echoed the view, saying: "It is a good step to improve ties between the two countries after the long dispute over the Preah Vihear temple."
The decision was made ahead of the summit this weekend of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Cambodia and Thailand among its members.
The cabinet has not yet scheduled the return date, only telling Foreign Ministry officials to contact their Cambodian counterparts about the return.
The 43 smuggled Khmer artifacts were intercepted by customs officials at a port in Samut Prakan in May 2000. They were handed over to the Fine Arts Department to determine their country of origin. Cambodia was then asked to verify the findings.
The two countries stepped up efforts on the verification process after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked then prime minister Samak Sundaravej to return the smuggled artifacts during his official visit to Cambodia last year.
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