BANGKOK, Nov 1 (TNA) — Two collectors living in the United States expressed their intention to return many artifacts to Thailand and most of them were bronze bracelets and stone rollers from the Ban Chiang period.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said one of the two was American and the other was Thai. The artifacts to be returned consist of 16 prehistoric artifacts and 22 other artifacts smuggled out of Thailand 40 years ago.
Most of them were bronze bracelets and stone rollers from the Ban Chiang period, he said.
After their return, they would undergo a scientific process for their conservation and then be put on display at museums in their original locations, Mr Vira said.
The minister also said that officials were sending evidence to claim lintels of Prasat Khao Lon temple ruins in Sa Kaeo province and Prasat Nong Hong temple ruins in Buri Ram province. They are exhibited at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The evidence included photographs and witnesses’ accounts, he said. (TNA)
