Here is another interesting case like the Elgin Marbles...but of SEA nature
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/17/us...rt-museum.html
The debate was in heat in 1988 between Thai protesters & US museum supporters regarding a temple lintel from an
Khmer temple of Phnom Rung in Buri Ram province along the Thai and Cambodian border that was brought to the USA in 1966 and donated later to Art Institute of Chicago.
One of the most popular Thai bands in modern history, Carabao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabao_(band)
wrote a song regarding the debate for which the song chorus translates as "Take back Michael Jackson, give us back the Phra Narai!"
Whoa...pretty song lyrics, huh? Yet, I'm not sure if it was meant in humor I have trouble with not laughing...sorry...maybe this would have been more humorous if Micheal were still alive?
Anyways, for your viewing pleasure here is the Carabao music video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u4vgUfDCxQ
It is quite interesting to watch...US military choppers in the intro...some Thai moon walking...check it out.
On a side note, the lead singer of Carabao is also the one who the Thai energy drink Carabao:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabao_Dang
(aka Carabao Dang....Carabao = Water Buffalo + Dang = Red....ie Red for the color of the drink...it similar to the more well known Thai energy drink: Red Bull, though no relation)