Cambodia asks to see Pongpat trove

17 Dec 2014 

The Cambodian government has asked to inspect the huge trove of antiques and art seized from the network of suspects linked to disgraced former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan after learning it may contain dozens of ancient Khmer sculptures, a media report said Wednesday. 

Some of the sculptures and artefacts retrieved from the network of suspects linked to disgraced former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan. The Cambodian embassy has asked to see the collection to determine if any were stolen from temples there. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

The Phnom Penh Post reported that the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok wrote a letter nearly early this month to Thai government officials requesting access to the nearly two billion baht in assets seized from Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and a ring of aides and subordinates charged with him on a number of serious offenses.
The paper quoted Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong saying Thai officials have not yet replied to the request. L
In addition to the antiquities, rare animal hides, ivory tusks, stacks of cash and luxury timber were discovered. Few of estimated 30,000 pieces of art and antiques seized have so far been authenticated.
Of those that have been reviewed, many are said to be Cambodian sculptures, reliefs and carvings from temple sites, the paper said.
"The results of initial examinations show at least 10 Khmer artefacts are genuine," Bovornvet Rungrujee, director general of Thailand's Fine Arts Department, said at a press conference earlier this month.
Mr Kuong said the embassy wants to examine the Khmer-related artefacts itself. He added that he could not say what Cambodia might do with the artefacts if they are repatriated.
The Khmer relics, including Buddha statues, works presumed to be from Phnom Da, and figurines of Hindu deities, may date as far back as 1,400 years ago to the seventh century, Thailand's Fine Arts Department said.
In order to facilitate in the repatriation of any stolen objects, the department said it would upload images of the recovered objects to its website. As of Tuesday, however, no photos had been posted.