On 4 October 2018, at the Handover Ceremony of Archaeological Artifacts from the United States to Thailand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand handed 12 prehistoric archeological artifacts to Mr. Prateep Pengtago, Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture.

           In her remarks, Director-General gave her remarks on the long-standing cooperation between the Department of Information and the Fine Arts Department in bringing back the Thai archeological artifacts to Thailand. Since 2001, 954 artifacts have been returned to Thailand. Deputy Director-General Prateep expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. in coordinating and facilitating the return of all 12 archaeological artifacts from the United States to Thailand.      

           The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. received the 12 prehistoric archaeological artifacts from an American donor. These artifacts consist of potteries, clay roller, clay anvil, and bronze bangle. Their age range is from 1,800 - 2,300 years to 3,000 - 4,300 years. After today’s handover, the Fine Arts Department will register all the artifacts as Thai cultural heritage property. The deteriorated artifacts will be carefully conserved through selected conservation techniques. Afterwards, all artifacts will be kept at the National Museum Storage, in Klong Luang district, Pathum Thani province for further study.

           The Royal Thai Government recognizes the value of archeological and historical artifacts and their return from abroad and has thus appointed the Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to Thailand. Today’s handover of artifacts is the first activity after the appointment of the committee, which will continue to work in collaboration on possible future return of other Thai archeological artifacts.