Source: www.irrawaddy.org
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, June, 2009: Thailand has returned seven 12th-century treasures to Cambodia and both countries have pledged to prevent further smuggling of antiquities. The Angkor-era statues, which included six heads of the Hindu God Siva, were handed to Cambodian officials during an official one-day visit by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Widespread looting of Cambodia’s ancient temples has occurred in recent decades, with many items smuggled into Thailand for sale on international antiques markets or to private collectors. The Thai authorities seized the antiquities from smugglers in 1999. Eang Sophalleth, a spokesman for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, said the two sides had agreed to cooperate in stamping out the smuggling of national antiquities. Hun Sen is urging Thailand to return 36 other Cambodian artifacts.