Khon Kaen National Museum loses ancient objects to robbers

KHON KAEN: -- Nearly 100 objects dating back to more than a thousand years were stolen from the Khon Kaen National Museum between December 4 and 5, Fine Arts Department chief Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said Wednesday.

The stolen items include 55 Buddha amulets and two sheets of gold from Maha Sarakham's Nadoon Pagoda, 12 amulets from Muangfa Daedsongyang ancient city in Kalasin, 11 bronze Buddha statues from the Tharavadi era as well as seven bronze Buddha and five Bodhisatava statues from the Lop Buri era.

The museum has already filed a complaint with the police, who suspect that the thieves might have entered the museum as visitors and carried out the theft after the venue closed for the night.

-- The Nation 2009-12-09

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Top notch security.

Top notch security.

Exactly my thoughts. Maybe they have a hand in this.

Top notch security.

Exactly my thoughts. Maybe they have a hand in this.

Sounds like a case for Tony Jaa and Mam Joke Mok.

This theft is actually a great shame, as provincial museums are often under-funded, too few exhibits and have poor security in any case. An exception is the World Heritage Site Museum at Ban Chiang which seems to have plenty of budget, some great exhibits and no shortage of staff. Hopefully, the police will pull their collective fingers out over this and catch the thieves with their loot, although I wouldn't hold my breath on it.