Pongpat case: Cambodia wants to inspect 50 seized artefacts

[webfact]

Cambodia wants to inspect 50 seized artefacts
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cambodia is seeking access to the scores of artefacts seized from disgraced former crime-buster Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan to determine if any of them belong to it, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

Bowornwej Rungrujee, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, early this month offered to send back some of the 50 artefacts worth more than Bt50 million found in the treasure trove hidden by Pongpat to their countries of origin.

The Cambodian foreign ministry has instructed its embassy in Bangkok to seek permission from Thai authorities to view and photograph those objects, which may been taken out of the country legally or illegally.

The 50 items recovered from Pongpat's syndicate date back to ancient Khmer, Lao, Myanmar, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin kingdoms. Authorities are tracing how the former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief acquired them.

Two weeks ago, the Cambodian embassy sent an official note to the Foreign Ministry requesting to see the ancient objects but the Thai side has not yet made any official response, a diplomat said.

Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn has already been informed about the request and has assured Cambodian officials that he would explore the possibility of allowing that.

Pongpat was arrested last month on lese majeste, corruption, misconduct, smuggling and racketeering-related charges.

In a series of raids, police discovered underground vaults at his home containing valuables, including the art treasures, worth more than Bt2 billion.

Antiques cannot be possessed or owned by individuals without proof of import, Bowornwej said.

Of the items, 13 come under the department's Category 1 for deities and Buddha images built in Khmer style, while the remaining 37 come under Category 2 for Buddha images or Hindu deities created during different kingdoms at different times.

The artefacts were formed from sandstone, wood or metal depending on the place and period of time.

About 100 items have been inspected and found to be imitations. There are still more than 10,000 items pending identification and authentication.

The Fine Arts Department estimates that the 50 items proved so far to be originals are valued at about Bt50 million.

The department will later coordinate with the rightful owners and reunite them with their missing collections, the director has said, but a Cambodia official said the embassy has not yet been contacted.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Cambodia-wants-to-inspect-50-seized-artefacts-30249839.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-15

[klauskunkel]

Two weeks ago, the Cambodian embassy sent an official note to the Foreign Ministry requesting to see the ancient objects but the Thai side has not yet made any official response, a diplomat said.

Well, they are busy planning a cycle path on lower Sukhumvit.

Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn has already been informed about the request and has assured Cambodian officials that he would explore the possibility of allowing that.

After the exploration the request might be upgraded from 'possibility' to 'probability', or not.

[Bluespunk]

"Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn has already been informed about the request and has assured Cambodian officials that he would explore the possibility of allowing that."

​Such hypocrisy after all the fuss made about the artifacts returned by the USA.

Edited December 15, 2014 by Bluespunk

[SOTIRIOS]

....hopefully they can ascertain who facilitated their acquisition and transportation across the border.....

[Don Aleman]

Oh, oh ! Possible war over 5,000 pounds of crumbling rock !