BANGKOK, 30 July 2015 – Culture Minister Weera Rojpotchanarat has disclosed, following a courtesy call from the US charge d’ affaires Patrick Murphy, that the U.S. is to return more Thai antiques located in the US.
Last year, the U.S. returned 554 Thai antique pieces to their homeland. Most of the ancient items were originally discovered at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site located in the northeastern province of Udon Thani.
The courtesy call was arranged for Thailand and the U.S. to discuss further cooperation in cultural exchanges. The Culture Ministry’s Weera also sought U.S. support for the creative industry, in particular films and animation production, as the Western country excels in the field and has advanced entertainment technology.
The Thai government wishes to enhance the friendship between the people of the two countries, said Mr.Weera. It plans to use Thai societies in the U.S. as a center for cultural promotion and exchange with Americans, and hopes the U.S. will support their activities.
Mr.Weera also expressed his thanks to the U.S., on behalf of the Thai government, for financial support for the reconstruction of Chaiwatthanaram Temple, an important ancient heritage site of Thailand, threatened by flooding in 2011.
