BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Fine Arts Department officially received 53 ancient artifacts repatriated from the United States on Tuesday, honoring the final wishes of a deceased American veteran.
The collection, which includes prehistoric pottery and bronze tools, was handed over by the estate manager of the late Colonel Charles Mark Richards, a former U.S. Air Force officer who served in Southeast Asia between 1964 and 1972.
Phanombootra Chandrajoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, stated that Colonel Richards amassed the collection while stationed in Thailand from 1971 to 1972, purchasing items from local villagers and antique shops. Before his death in May 2023, the Colonel stipulated in his will that the items be returned to their country of origin. The repatriation was coordinated through the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
The 53 items comprise 27 prehistoric tools and ornaments, 16 prehistoric ceramic vessels, and several pieces of Sukhothai-era and Chinese trade ceramics.
A key highlight is a 2,000-year-old pedestal tray featuring red-painted geometric patterns characteristic of the Ban Chiang culture, a UNESCO World Heritage tradition. The collection also includes bronze axe molds providing evidence of early metallurgy in the region.
The artifacts will be housed at the National Museum’s central storage for further research and public exhibition. (TNA)
