The Handover Ceremony of the “Prakhon Chai Bronze Sculptures” to Thailand at the National Museum Bangkok

วันที่นำเข้าข้อมูล 9 Jan 2026

วันที่ปรับปรุงข้อมูล 9 Jan 2026

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On 6 January 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assigned the representatives to attend a press conference, marking the official handover of the "Prakhon Chai bronze sculptures" which were repatriated from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the United States. The event was presided over by the Minister of Culture and attended by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and other relevant agencies.

The four bronze sculptures were initially discovered in the Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province. Later on, they were displayed at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Consulate - General in Los Angeles supported the coordination between the Fine Arts Department and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in ensuring the return of these antiquities to Thailand. The Ministry also worked closely with relevant Thai agencies towards this end, while coordinating closely with the U.S. side since 2018.

In April 2025, the Museum permanently deaccessioned all four sculptures from its collection and coordinated with the Royal Thai Consulate - General in Los Angeles, taking steps in returning these antiquities to Thailand. On 8 December 2025, the Ambassador of Thailand to the United States and the Consul - General of Thailand in Los Angeles attended the handover ceremony of these masterpieces in San Francisco, after which the Royal Thai Consulate - General undertook relevant procedures to transport them back to Thailand.

The handover of these antiquities is the testimony to their great significance as archaeological evidences, reflecting the glory of ancient communities of Thailand's northeastern region. It also demonstrates the Royal Thai Government's commitment to repatriating and the close collaboration among relevant agencies in the unyielding efforts in recovering Thailand's cultural heritage from overseas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its sincere appreciation to the U.S. side, particularly the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, for their cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Culture and relevant agencies in recovering Thai antiquities overseas back to Thailand.

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