PUBLISHED: 8 Nov 2024 at 05: 30
Next week will be the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, which will bring back items from the 3, 000-year-old Ban Chiang World Heritage Site.
According to the regional office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation ( Unesco ) in the Thai capital, the US Embassy in Bangkok will host the ceremony on Nov 14 at the Issaravinitchai Royal Hall inside the Bangkok National Museum.
Robert Godec, the US embassy, and Rafik Mansour, assistant associate director of the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will hand over the returned objects to Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol, the Unesco department said.
Another old object is scheduled to be returned to its home territory of Phayao after 36 times.
Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP, just revealed that” Phra Jao Tong”, a 900-year-old bronze Buddha statue which was stolen from Wat Sri Ping Muang in Wiang Lo sub-district of Chun region in October 1988, has been found.
The monument, which is 128 centimetres high and 79cm large, was built in the Lanna design by a local entrepreneur.
According to Mr. Wisut, Phra Jao Tong was illegally transported and sold abroad. It was last seen in Switzerland.
Mr. Wisut, a native of Phayao, claimed a new procedure led to the discovery of the statue, and it was later returned to Thailand in August as part of a regional job force searching for it.
According to Mr. Wisut, Phra Jao Tong is currently being cared for by the Fine Art Department at the Bangkok National Museum.