Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |
Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |

Another Ancient Sculpture to Return to Cambodia from US

Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has confirmed that an ancient Cambodian statue named “Skanda on a Peacock” will be returned to the kingdom. This follows a report from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ms. Audrey Strauss, on Thursday that a civil complaint seeking forfeiture of this 10th Century Khmer sandstone statue has been filed for the purpose of returning it to Cambodia.

The US report says that the statue was stolen from the Prasat Krachap temple at Koh Ker and was sold by antiquities dealer Mr. Douglas Latchford to the international art market. Latchford died in 2020 and was a British adventurer, art dealer, author and alleged smuggler. He was best known as a collector of Cambodian antiquities. The archaeological site at Koh Ker is located in the northern part of Cambodia about 120 kilometres from Siem Reap.

After Latchford’s death, his daughter Nawapan Kriangsak decided to give back his collection to Cambodia. It is valued at over $50 million. In January, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts reported that more than 100 Khmer antiquities in stone and bronze would be returned to Cambodia from the Latchford family.

Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, says that the “Skanda on a Peacock” masterpiece will allow Cambodian people and the world to regain invaluable knowledge about Cambodian culture and its ancient history. She says, “We are thrilled whenever we are able to re-acquire many of our precious cultural properties that have been illegally exported from Cambodia". She has expressed her sincere gratitude for the efforts of the U.S. government and relevant authorities both abroad and in Cambodia for their support in returning the Khmer artifacts.

Skanda, the Hindu God of War, is rarely depicted in Cambodian art, but appears to have featured prominently in the Prasat Krachap templex. Manhattan US Attorney, Ms. Audrey Strauss, says, “Skanda on a Peacock is a work of great historical, religious and artistic significance to the people of Cambodia. With this action, we reaffirm our commitment to ending the sale of illegally trafficked antiquities in the United States and begin the process of returning Skanda on a Peacock to its rightful home.”



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