Govt insists border artefacts are Thai

Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised has rejected Cambodia's demand for the return of artefacts found at Prasat Khana on the Thai-Cambodian border, insisting the items are Thai antiquities protected under Thai law.

Ms Sabeeda said on Sunday the Culture Ministry had received a letter dated Oct 22 from its Cambodian counterpart outlining claims and demands concerning heritage sites along the border.

She said Prasat Ta Khwai and Prasat Khana were registered ancient monuments under Thai law, and that Thai authorities' actions at the sites were intended to protect the monuments and their artefacts.

Regarding Prasat Khana, Ms Sabeeda said the Fine Arts Department surveyed the area with Border Patrol Police officers around 2001. No Cambodian military personnel or civilians were found at the site, and no objections were raised or attempts made to obstruct the survey, she said.

Following recent border clashes and a subsequent ceasefire, the department surveyed and catalogued antiquities found at Prasat Khana before moving them to secure storage to prevent their loss or damage.

Responding to Cambodia's demand for their return, Ms Sabeeda said the artefacts were Thai antiquities and had been safeguarded in accordance with Thai law.

She said Thailand could not accept Cambodia's demands without clear supporting evidence or a legal basis.

The minister also rejected allegations that Thai authorities had used ancient monuments for military purposes or deliberately damaged them, insisting their activities had been aimed at protecting cultural heritage.

The Fine Arts Department is preparing to restore monuments damaged during the fighting. The work will include assessing the damage and determining appropriate conservation measures.

Ms Sabeeda said the ministry would send an official letter to Cambodia setting out the monuments' status.