Thailand on Monday held a welcoming ceremony to mark the return of two ancient hand-carved artifacts that were stolen decades ago and smuggled out of the country to the United States.
The two 680 kg Khmer-style stone carvings had been on display at the Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco, which was required to forfeit them when a settlement was reached in February between the U.S. government and San Francisco authorities.
Thailand had informed the United States in 2017 that the lintels, which date back to the 10th and 11th century, had been stolen.
The sandstone lintels were once parts of the structure of two religious sanctuaries in Thailand’s northeast. The government will assess whether they can be returned to their original locations.
Thai culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said at the Bangkok ceremony today is the day that they are finally returned to their home country and displayed here.
Tanongsak Hanwong, who located the artifacts and pushed for their return said this is a legal battle that has set an excellent example for the museums that still own Thai artifacts illegally because they know they will lose the case.
He added that many museums have chosen to reach out to begin the return process instead of going into the legal process.
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