Time to return artefacts

The Culture Ministry does not need to review a pledge to return 20 ancient artefacts under its custody to Cambodia. Instead, the repatriation, as a long-overdue promise, should be completed without further delay.

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The 20 artefacts are among 43 items confiscated from a cargo ship arriving from Singapore by Thai customs authorities during the Chuan Leekpai administration in 2000.

Since Cambodia was able to present evidence of ownership, 23 items had been returned in two batches. The first batch was sent back during the tenure of then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2009, even as relations between the two countries were strained due to the Preah Vihear issue at the time.

The second batch was sent back in 2016 during Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure.

The handover of the artefacts was approved by the Fine Arts Department, which studied the confiscated items and ensured that their styles were not of Thai origin.

Although a recipient country is obliged to pay the transport costs for returned artefacts, Thailand did its neighbour a favour by covering the costs as a friendly gesture.