New-appointed Thai Culture Minister, and suspended prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a halt to the repatriation of 20 Cambodian artefacts that were illegally imported into Thailand.
The suspension comes amid ongoing concerns about funding limitations, despite the government’s earlier intention to repatriate the cultural treasures to Cambodia, according to the Thailand’s Khaosod English.
The move has drawn attention due to Paetongtarn’s current suspension as premier. Her seemingly tenuous position is compounded by legal threats related to her leaked “uncle” phone call with Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen.
Her appearance at the Ministry of Culture this week marked her first day in an official ministerial role following her suspension.
The shift has intensified scrutiny over her handling of heritage issues, with critics claiming that political motivations may be influencing cultural decisions.
“Earlier today, Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap clarified fake news circulating about the culture ministry sending 20 ancient artefacts home to Cambodia, stressing it’s old news from 25 years ago,” Thai media reported.
The report explained that the pieces were seized by Thai customs over 25 years ago, in 2000, when they were discovered to have been illegally imported from Singapore.
The spokesperson noted that at the time of the seizure, the Fine Arts Department conducted an inspection, and 23 of the 43 seized items were returned to their rightful owners, based on documented proof of their origins.
Subsequently, the Cambodian government submitted a request to reclaim the remaining 20 artefacts, along with documents and evidence confirming their claim of ownership.
“The government spokesperson continued that from the inspection by the Fine Arts Department, through several committees, it was concluded that all 20 ancient artifacts originated in Cambodia,” Khaosod stated.
A formal handover was scheduled for this month, with the artefacts expected to arrive in Cambodia by August.
This was announced ahead of an official visit by Paetongtarn, who met with Cambodian leadership in April to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring Kingdoms.
A few days before her visit, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet described the pieces, referred to as the “Head of Neak Ta” in Khmer, and explained that they were looted and sold in Thailand during the conflicts of the 1980s and 90s.
There is speculation that Paetongtarn may have seized on the chance to demonstrate that she can be firm with Cambodia, as her leadership suffers from her handling of ongoing border tensions.
