Seized Buddha Images Donated To Thalang Museum

[khall64au]

MAI KHAO: In a small ceremony at Phuket International Airport, Airport Customs officials yesterday handed over to the Thalang National Museum 93 Buddha images seized from departing tourists over the past year.

Phuket Airport Customs Director Ruthai Lertkietdamrong told the Gazette most of the images were seized from tourists who bought them from shops unaware that they needed permission from the Fine Arts Department to take them out of the country.

While many of the Buddha images were cheap replicas for which such permission could have been easily obtained, one sandstone image of the Buddha’s head was an artifact of historical significance, he said.

The image probably dated back to the Khmer Empire, could be up to 1,000 years old and probably changed hands many times before its seizure at the airport, K. Ruthai said.

Permission to export Buddha images can be obtained at the Thalang National Museum, which is run by the Fine Arts Department, he added.

If tourists are unsure whether Buddha images or items they are considering buying require a permit for export, they should ask the shop owners selling the items, he said.

For more information call the Thalang National Museum at 076-311426 during government office hours.

source - Phuket Gazette

[tw25rw]

Does this mean one can't even export one of the mass produced ones without permission? What about on an item of jewellery?

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Seized Buddha images were handed over to Thalang national museum in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215237

Almost 100 Bhuddha images and heads, some very ancient, were handed over to the Thalang National Museum to look after and display for the general public to learn about. They were objects seized by Phuket Airport Customs as the objects were not allowed to be taken out of the country. According to Thai law, any Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or related fragments, part of ancient monuments and prehistoric objects are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom, while not more than 5 pieces of newly cast Buddha images in complete condition can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Reproduction of antiquities can also be exported with license permission from the Department. Chairing and witnessing the handover ceremony, the Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima sought cooperation from shops to advise or inform tourists of such rules. In Phuket, they can contact the Thalang National Museum at 076 311426 at official hours.

Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Monday 19 November 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th