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| Ban Chiang artefacts returned recently to the Foreign Ministry by American owners are put on display. The items, believed to be between 1,500 and 5,000 years old, were discovered at the Ban Chiang archaeological site in Udon Thani [Credit: Panumas Sanguanwong] |
Foreign Ministry spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol said the Thai consul-general in Los Angeles were contacted in 2011-2012 by five Americans who wanted to return the artefacts, and the objects were sent back to the country in late August this year.
He thanked the five Americans. They are Benjamin Snidecor, a former US state official who used to work in Thailand, for giving back 23 items, and Robert Rochien, who returned three artefacts which were left to him by his father who used to work as a US government official in Thailand.
Anitra Bascon Wirtz returned 29 pieces which were left to her by her father, Gary Buck returned one item, also bequeathed by his father, and Richard Douglas returned 20 pieces, given to him by his mother.
Of the 76 Ban Chiang artefacts, a bangle made from ivory is very special and rare, Mr Manasvi said.
Only two such ivory bangles have been found and they are on display in museums in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen.
Many foreign nationals have handed back artefacts to Thailand over the past 12 years, including citizens of the US, the Netherlands, Japan and Britain.
Source: Bangkok Post [October 10, 2013]
