Britain returns priceless artifacts to Thailand

[Spitfire]

Apparently, these artifacts were smuggled out of Thailand 30 plus years ago and turned up in a British university when they did an audit and contacted the Thai embassy to arrange for their return.

The Ban Chiang artifacts are some of the most important discoveries in Southeast Asia thus far with evidence of prehistoric occupation dating back to 3600 BC.

The Ban Chiang settlements are named after a village in Udon Thani's Nong Han district, but the settlement is believed to have stretched to the nearby provinces, including Sakon Nakon. UNESCO put it on the world heritage list in 1992.

Needless to say the Thai government is well chuffed about it and it's good to have a positive story for once. Hopefully the show of goodwill will help the continuing bridge-building between Thailand and the UK.

To read the full article, which is worth a read......

http://www.bangkokpost.com/leisure/leis ... eir-origin

[STEVE G]

Yes, it's a good story and it's good to read about someone doing the right thing ethically for a change.

[mabubba]

Yes, definitely a good read. And it is good to hear that the items will be returned at the university's expense.

I went to the new Acropolis Museum in Athens earlier this year and I got a kick out of one of their video presentations regarding the Parthenon. They referred to the Elgin Marbles as stolen, no qualms about it. I know they are a big draw to the British Museum, but IMHO they should be returned to Greece (even though they are in better condition than the remaining sculpture due to the theft and subsequent care by Elgin).

And then there is all of the artwork that was 'stolen' and appropriated by museums and others after the holocaust...lots to do regarding returning art back to the rightful owners...

[margaretcarnes]

I'm surprised Cameron didn't just flog them

[charlesh]

The Greeks would sell them to the highest bidder to pay of some of their debt and if they didn't they would be seriously degraded by the toxic Athens air. Give em back by all means but make sure they are not lost to humanity!!
Maybe the Thais should give back the Priear Vihaan on the border as it obviously not Thai architecture ha, ha??