Thailand’s Quest to Reclaim Its Cultural Treasures

In the heart of Thailand, an ancient town known as Si Thep has become a battleground for a cultural struggle. Archeologists struggle to piece together aspects of the region and country’s history as many of the ancient city’s treasures have been “looted.” According to a September 2023 Straits Times article, the Thai government is now on a sensitive mission, or a “cultural tightrope” to repatriate many of these stolen cultural assets from the region. Si Thep, believed to have roots reaching back 1,500 to 1,700 years, has just been granted a historic achievement: UNESCO recognition. But this isn’t just about accolades; it’s about piecing together a story long obscured by theft.

Over time, looters have taken at least 20 artifacts from Si Thep, with at least 11 of them having been identified in U.S. museums. Thai archeologist Tanachaya Tiandee, sees herself as a real-life Thai version of Indiana Jones, determined to recover Si Thep’s stolen heritage. While Thailand has seen some success in repatriating historical artifacts since the creation of the Committee to Monitor Thai Antiquities Abroad in 2017, the Times notes that this has been a slow process due to government fears of jeopardizing diplomatic relations with important allies like the US.

This issue raises an interesting conversation around the role museums play as custodians of controversy. The Norton Simon Museum in California is a central character in this unfolding drama, holding nine priceless Thai artifacts, including one believed to hail from Si Thep. As questions of provenance and ownership swirl, museums like these find themselves at the center of an international debate over the rightful custodianship of cultural heritage. Museums are repositories of history and culture, but more than ever, museums need to thoughtfully navigate the complex terrain of ethics and cultural restitution. In this case the Norton Museum argues that their Thai acquisitions were legally obtained and have been carefully preserved, but we should ponder what legality means in this instance and under whose frameworks. Who is providing legitimacy and legality to these acquisitions?

Si Thep is just one example that underscores the need for museums to reassess their acquisition practices, revisit their ethical obligations, and engage in transparent dialogue with countries like Thailand that seek the return of their heritage. It’s a critical juncture where the custodians of culture must grapple with their role in safeguarding the past while respecting the rights of nations to reclaim their historical treasures.

Source: “Thailand walks diplomatic tightrope as it races to recover stolen treasures,” The Strait Times, September 18, 2023. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-walks-diplomatic-tightrope-as-it-races-to-recover-stolen-treasures