This is the 3rd of these series on the precious cultural objects stolen from SE Asia with a report by CNA (in Singapore) on thefts in Thailand and Cambodia, who was behind them, and the chances of getting them returned to the countries of origin.
We see first of all some of the 100s or 1000s of cultural items that were broken by looters, who flourished especially in the 90s when these objects started to find a large and well-paid international market, mainly in the UK, US and EU.
The video follows especially two works of Khmer statuary, one stolen in Thailand, and one stolen in Cambodia, near the ancient site of Koh Ker, which was also the focus of part of last week’s documentary.
It is still not clear how involved state and respectable museums and collectors have been, or whether they were aware that the objects they were purchasing were in fact stolen, though it is hard to believe they had no suspicions about this.
Again we find after a labourious process some small amounts of very valuable cultural objects are returned to their country of origin, and this does of course give some satisfaction, but the fact is there are literally millions of objects languishing in museum warehouses in the west, that are unknown because they aren’t on display and will never be returned.
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