The Swiss government has officially returned 11 antiquities to Thailand through the Thai Embassy in Bern. These artifacts are believed to originate from the Ban Chiang archaeological site in northeastern Thailand.
On 14 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted that on 13 Feb at 22:45 Thailand time, the Thai Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, held a formal ceremony to receive 11 antiquities back to Thailand. The event took place at the embassy building, with Ms. Pannapa Chantrarom, Ambassador of Thailand to Bern, representing Thailand to accept the items, and Ms. Fabienne Baraga, head of the International Cultural Property Transfer Unit under the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, Ministry of the Interior of Switzerland, representing the Swiss side to hand over the artifacts.
The 11 antiquities were voluntarily returned by an anonymous Swiss owner who wished to send these valuable historical objects back to their place of origin. It is initially believed that these items may come from northeastern Thailand, specifically from the Ban Chiang archaeological culture site.
This handover symbolizes the strong friendship and close cultural cooperation between Thailand and Switzerland and reflects their shared responsibility to protect cultural heritage. Representatives from both sides witnessed the event, including officials from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as members of the Thai community in Switzerland who attended to celebrate.
Following the handover ceremony, the Thai Embassy will arrange the shipment of all antiquities back to Thailand. They will be forwarded to the Fine Arts Department for academic examination, conservation, national registration, and consideration for public display to facilitate learning among the Thai people.
