The Thai government should expedite its efforts to retrieve Thai artefacts stolen from Si Thep historical park in Phetchabun province and currently held in the United States, said Phanombootra Chandrajoti, director general of the Fine Arts Department.
“A major challenge facing Thailand, after Si Thep historical park was recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in September, is to collaborate with the US in reclaiming artefacts, stolen from Si Thep more than 60 years ago, from museums in the US,” he said.
He estimated that the process would take about three years. The artefacts have been found scattered across many museums in the US, Phanombootra said, adding that they were illegally smuggled out of Thailand.
The reclamation of about ten pieces has already begun and Bangkok has received excellent cooperation from the US, through their Department…
