Years of attempts to get two stolen ancient lintels back from the US have finally paid off. The two lintels were scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport late last night.
It is believed the two items, previously on display at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, were stolen around the same time that a famous lintel depicting the god Vishnu reclining on an Ananta naga serpent went missing from Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buri Ram in the 1960s. It was old photographs taken by respected archaeologist, Manit Vallibhotama, during exploratory trips to where they were originally located that served as solid evidence of Thailand's ownership over the stolen pieces. It's the same set of photographs that Thailand used to reclaim the Vishnu lintel which was eventually returned from the US in 1988.
The latest success was attributed to a local civic group based in Buri Ram that launched a campaign to reclaim stolen artefacts in 2017. The lintels were only part of its campaign, as the group is still pursuing the return of several bronze statues from museums in the US. The statues were previously enshrined at Plai Bat sanctuary in Buri Ram before they were put on display in the US.
But the latest success should not be weighed only on getting the artefacts back. What is more important is conservation awareness and the spirit of the group and several others who came to the fore to protect our heritage while the state dragged its feet.
In fact, this episode concerning the lintels epitomises the importance of local communities in conservation work and complementing the Fine Arts Department's mission. Apart from helping promote awareness at the community level, they have acted as a watchdog trying to guard heritage. Such a job suits community members well.
There are more than a few examples of active community heritage groups. One in Phrae province kicked up a fuss last year over the shameful attempted demolition of an old teak building by the National Park Office in the province during what was supposed to be renovation work. The group's protests prompted the Fine Arts Department to step in to stop it from being completely destroyed.
Another community group is the Wat Lai Conservation Club which operates two local museums at Wat Lai in Tha Wung district of Lop Buri that showcase several rare items highlighting local identity in this part of the central province.
Most of these local groups and communities, which operate on a voluntary basis, can help fill a gap left by the Fine Arts Department which lacks manpower. Much of the department's many priorities are at the national level, leaving it little time and resources for local matters. This is self-evident by its failure to prevent the loss of valuable items and the near destruction of a structure like the teak building in Phrae.
However, volunteers often find themselves short of resources, financial and technical, which is a pity.
It's necessary that the government find ways to lend a hand, in cash or through other means, so that such people are better equipped to pursue conservation work.
If providing state money is too difficult, it could start by telling the Revenue Department to make public donations to small heritage protection groups tax exempt.
This could be a good incentive for the public in general to do more. A win-win scenario.