In a significant move to reclaim its cultural heritage, Thailand is preparing for the return of four ancient bronze statues from the Prakhon Chai hoard. These artifacts were looted in the 1960s from a temple in northeast Thailand and have since been housed at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum.
The museum’s acquisitions committee recommended the release of the statues, a decision approved by San Francisco’s Asian Art Commission on April 22. The artifacts are expected to arrive in Thailand within the next couple of months.
Disapong Netlomwong, senior curator for the Office of National Museums at Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, emphasized the importance of the repatriation, stating, “We are the rightful owners. These artifacts should be exhibited here to showcase our civilization and beliefs.”
This repatriation is part of Thailand’s broader initiative to recover cultural artifacts that were illicitly taken and are now held in museums and private collections worldwide.
Adapted from content originally published by Al Jazeera.
