Thailand has announced its decision to return 20 historical artefacts to Cambodia, a significant move that stems from a bilateral agreement aimed at preserving cultural heritage. Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri confirmed that the Thai cabinet approved the proposal by the Fine Arts Department to repatriate the items, which were part of a larger cache of 43 antiquities smuggled from Singapore in 2000.

The return of these artefacts follows previous repatriations in 2008 and 2015, during which Thailand returned 23 other items from the same consignment. The latest decision came after the origins of the remaining 20 items were initially unclear, prompting the Thai Fine Arts Department to request evidence from Cambodia to prove their provenance.

Upon receiving satisfactory evidence from the Cambodian government, the Fine Arts Department endorsed the return of these culturally significant items, which share stylistic elements found in both countries. This gesture of goodwill underscores the commitment of both Thailand and Cambodia to uphold respect for each other’s cultural heritage and strengthen diplomatic relations.

This repatriation marks a step forward in collaborative cultural preservation efforts in Southeast Asia and highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

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