Religious artefacts returned after decades

Back for good: A lentil originally from the Nong Hong Sanctuary in Thailand is displayed during a ceremony to return it to the Thai government in Los Angeles. — AP

Two stolen hand-carved religious artefacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government in a ceremony more than 50 years overdue.

The 680kg antiquities had been stolen and exported from Thailand – a violation of Thai law – roughly a half-century ago, authorities said, and donated to the city of San Francisco, authorities said. They had been exhibited at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum.