Artefacts to be repatriated
The Nation



Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar to be asked to check Pongpat treasures; warrant out

BANGKOK: -- SOME OF THE 50 artefacts worth more than Bt50 million found in the treasure trove hidden by former crime-buster Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan will be repatriated to their countries of origin, Fine Arts Department director-general Bowornwej Rungrujee said yesterday.

The 50 items, dating back to Khmer, Lao, Burmese, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin kingdoms, will be returned to their sites of origin, while an investigation is underway to find out how the former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief acquired them.

"These items cannot be possessed or owned without proof of import," Borwornwej said.

Of the items, 13 come under the department's Category 1, comprised of deities and Buddha images built in Khmer style; while the remaining 37 come under Category 2, or Buddha images or Hindu deities built in different kingdoms at different times, he said. The artefacts are made from sandstone, wood or metal depending on where and when they were built.

Another 100 items have been inspected and found to be imitations, though there are still more than 10,000 items awaiting identification and authentication, Bowornwej said.

He estimated that the 50 items proved to be authentic, so far, should be worth about Bt50 million in total.

The Fine Arts Department will later coordinate with rightful owners and repatriate them accordingly.

"The items that belong to Thailand will be put on display at the National Museum once the case [surrounding Pongpat and his |network] has been completed," he said.

The haul also included a large number of furniture pieces inlaid with mother-of-pearl and other household items and decorations dating back to the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868). Bowornwej said these times could be privately owned.

The photographs of all seized items will soon be posted on the department's website, www.finearts.go.th, for the public to view. People can also see if they own any of the items.

In another development related to the intimidation and corruption case involving Pongpat, police yesterday obtained an arrest warrant for Nopporn Suppipat, president of Wind Energy Holding - the largest wind-generated electricity producer in Southeast Asia.

Nopporn allegedly hired men through Pongpat to force a business associate to reduce his loan from Bt120 million to Bt20 million.

Royal Thai Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri, citing tip-offs, said Sahachai "Sia Jo" Jiansermsin, a fugitive Pattani-based businessman accused of running an illicit petrol trade operation, is possibly hiding in a neighbouring country. He said the Bt1-million bounty on offer would be helpful and encouraging to would-be informants.

Thai police were working with their counterparts in neighbouring countries and Interpol to seek an international warrant for him, he said.

Prawut said he could not yet say who was protecting Sahachai, but said the police had got reliable information about his whereabouts. He also ruled out links between Sahachai's illicit business and the insurgency in the far South.

Pongpat, the former CIB chief, is undergoing treatment for diabetes and high-blood pressure at a prison hospital near the Bangkok Remand Prison where he is being detained. Former deputy CIB chief Kowit Wongrungroj underwent a medical examination along with Pongpat yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Artefacts-to-be-repatriated-30249049.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-03

Fair enough that the artifacts are returned considering the haul that the USA sent back to Thailand last week or the week before.

"In another development related to the intimidation and corruption case involving Pongpat, police yesterday obtained an arrest warrant for Nopporn Suppipat, president of Wind Energy Holding - the largest wind-generated electricity producer in Southeast Asia.

Nopporn allegedly hired men through Pongpat to force a business associate to reduce his loan from Bt120 million to Bt20 million."

Is that how the energy sector works then? Damn, wish I'd known, my electricity bill was quite high last month. Could have done with a reduction.

Well it would seem as there are some ethics coming into play regarding national treasures of other nations

.Good to see such a positive move by the Fine Arts department department.

Pongpat, the former CIB chief, is undergoing treatment for diabetes and high-blood pressure at a prison hospital near the Bangkok Remand Prison where he is being detained. Former deputy CIB chief Kowit Wongrungroj underwent a medical examination along with Pongpat yesterday.

I foresee a sudden outbreak on poor health amongst the accused so the poorly done by folk can do a Kamnan Po and spend their time in a suitable hospital (subsidised by their relatives) receiving treatment rather than having to associate with lowly criminals in prison.

.........so many mysteries......

...never anyone to blame......

Seems there is plenty of blame to go around, unless you stick your head in the sand.

All artifacts will be returned to their respective countries once cleared by the Department of Replication.