PUBLISHED: 4:00 on September 5, 2023.
A gang that traded antiques that had been illegally taken from various historical sites across the North has been exposed by Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) officials.
Three people, who were only identified as Thossaporn, Thodsaphon, and Sri-on, were arrested as a result of an operation carried out by the CIB and the Fine Arts Department( FAD ), according to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the commissioner of the CBI, yesterday.
The three were detained for obtaining and selling antiques and / or historical artifacts improperly, and they could serve up to seven years in prison with a maximum fine of 700,000 baht.
In addition, the police raided nine locations in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Phayao, and Lampang, seizing more than 1,000 antiques, 11 metal detectors from the raids as well as four passbooks and several digging tools.
FAD director-general Phanombut Chantharachot responded that the items had been confirmed as true when questioned about the integrity of the seized items. In truth, he claimed that some of the topics proved to be worthwhile more research.
An elephant-shaped bronze statue in the Lanna style that is at least 500 years old was one of the items taken during the assaults, he claimed.
A cow-shaped bronze monument that is at least 1,600 years older, glass items, tattoo needles, vintage coins, and jewelry were among the various items. Some of these items were discovered in Siamese-controlled regions of modern-day China and India.
According to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, the investigators learned about the group’s activities after receiving a tip from an ancient protection club. The plan’s schemers were Thossaporn and Thodsaphon, and Sri-on served as their shovel.
According to the investigators, the gang earned over 10 million baht annually from the improper sale of ancient items, and over that time, their bank accounts have seen over 200,000.
Thossaporn and Thodsaphon, according to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, have admitted to the accusations made against them, but Sri-on has no.
Athiphong and Suchin, two alleged investors, are currently wanted by law.