A recent accusation by a scholar at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has brought to light a potential case of a 13th-century sculpture suspected of being looted from Thailand. The scholar, Angela Chiu, raised concerns about a Buddha statue gifted to SOAS by American alumni Mary and Paul Slawson, lacking proper provenance documentation. SOAS has refuted any wrongdoing and is cooperating with investigations initiated by the Thai Foreign and Culture ministries.
Thai Ambassador to the UK, Pisanu Suvanajata, has reached out to SOAS for clarification, while the Thai embassy officials in London have engaged with the institution to gather information on the statue. Despite SOAS’s claim that the artefact is not on the International Council of Museums’ Red Lists, Chiu insists that documented provenance is crucial in determining the statue’s origin and legality.
Thailand’s Fine Arts Department (FAD) is closely monitoring the situation and plans to involve an ad hoc committee responsible for recovering looted art from abroad if necessary. Archaeologist Tanongsak Hanwong, a member of the committee, emphasized the significance of the 700-year-old Buddha statue and expressed hope for its return to Thailand if proven to be of Thai origin.
Efforts to reclaim looted Thai artefacts have gained momentum with the establishment of an ad hoc committee tasked with locating missing treasures in overseas institutions. The committee’s one-year investigation has identified several valuable artefacts, including architectural pieces and ancient statues, currently housed in foreign museums.
Collaboration between Thai and US authorities is ongoing to verify the provenance of prehistoric Thai artefacts stored in American museums. Past successes in repatriating stolen artefacts, such as the Narai stone lintel and a Lopburi-style Buddha statue, highlight the commitment to safeguarding Thailand’s cultural heritage.
Thailand’s endeavor to secure its cultural legacy is reinforced by the construction of a state-of-the-art National Artefacts Storage facility in Pathum Thani. This advanced facility, set to open in 2019, will offer a secure environment for over 200,000 cultural relics spanning five millennia. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and educational resources, the storage facility aims to serve as a hub for archaeological research and public engagement.
The initiative to protect and reclaim Thailand’s heritage reflects a broader global effort to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts and preserve the rich history of nations. As the investigation into the contested Buddha statue unfolds, it underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration in safeguarding cultural treasures for future generations.
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