Bangkok, July 5 — Thailand will postpone the return of 20 ancient artefacts to Cambodia, citing escalating border tensions and financial constraints, newly appointed Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced Friday.

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Speaking on her first day in office, Paetongtarn said the Culture Ministry had decided to review the artefact handover due to the current “tense bilateral relationship” with Cambodia.

“Therefore, there will be no return at this time,” she stated.

The two countries had previously agreed to hold a formal ceremony later this month to mark the return of the artefacts, which were expected to arrive in Cambodia by August. However, the process has now been suspended.

The Cabinet under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had approved the artefact repatriation on May 21 last year, following recommendations by the Fine Arts Department and independent experts, who confirmed the items originated from Cambodian territory.

Despite the prior approval, Paetongtarn said the handover is now stalled due to budgetary limitations.

New Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told officials at the Ministry on her first day of work on Friday, after being temporarily suspended from her PM duties by the Constitutional Court pending the ruling on whether she violated the Constitution in the leaked conversation… pic.twitter.com/7YGCq2Z7ex

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) July 5, 2025

“The matter is currently in the budgeting phase under the Fine Arts Department, but I’ve been informed that the current year’s budget is insufficient,” she said. “Since it is not considered an urgent matter, the ministry cannot request funds from the central budget.”

She added that the issue may need to be resubmitted through the Culture Ministry and reported again to the Cabinet for further action.

Of the 43 artefacts originally smuggled from Cambodia into Thailand, 23 were returned in two previous rounds in 2008 and 2015. The remaining 20 pieces — mostly small sculptures — were slated for return this year.

Border issues have also resurfaced, with Paetongtarn reaffirming Thailand’s claim over the Ta Muen Temple complex, a disputed historical site near the border with Cambodia.

“These are cultural heritage sites under Thailand’s sovereignty, officially registered as ancient monuments under the 1962 Ancient Monuments Act,” she asserted. She noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to safeguard other contested areas that fall within Thai territorial claims.

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The shelving of the artefact return could further strain relations between the two neighbors, which have had a long history of cultural and territorial disputes.

-Thailand News (TN)