Sat May 24 01:15:53 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The San Francisco Asian Art Museum is returning four bronze statues from the Prakhon Chai hoard to Thailand, which were looted in the 1960s. The statues, dating back to the 7th-9th centuries, are significant artifacts of the Dvaravati civilization. Their return follows efforts by Thailand to reclaim its stolen heritage, prompted by evidence presented by the US Department of Homeland Security and the involvement of the late antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford in their smuggling. This move exemplifies a growing trend of museums addressing past collecting practices and repatriating looted artifacts, driven by increased public awareness and pressure. Thailand hopes this will set a precedent for the return of other Prakhon Chai artifacts from museums worldwide.

**News Article:**

**San Francisco Asian Art Museum to Return Looted Thai Artifacts**

**San Francisco, CA** – In a move lauded as a victory for cultural heritage repatriation, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is preparing to return four bronze statues to Thailand. The statues, part of the famed Prakhon Chai hoard looted in the 1960s, were acquired by the museum in the late 1960s.

The decision to return the artifacts follows evidence presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implicating the late British antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford in the smuggling of the statues. These statues, dating back to the 7th to 9th centuries, are considered priceless proof of Thailand’s Buddhist roots during the Dvaravati civilization.

“We are the righteous owners,” stated Disapong Netlomwong, senior curator for the Office of National Museums at Thailand’s Fine Arts Department. “It is something that our ancestors have made, and it should be exhibited here to show the civilization and the belief of the people.”

This move by the Asian Art Museum is part of a growing trend of museums reevaluating their collections and repatriating looted artifacts. To highlight the issue of stolen antiquities, the museum even staged a special exhibition, “Moving Objects: Learning from Local and Global Communities,” around the pieces prior to their return.

The museum hopes its decision will encourage other institutions holding Prakhon Chai artifacts to return them to Thailand. Thailand is actively seeking the repatriation of several other artifacts from collections around the world.

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