Here’s an interesting article about a current problem some American museums are facing with Thai antiquities in their collections…and the recognition of foreign countries’ laws by the US.

Ethical issues are constantly before us. Should these works remain in American collections if the Thai government has done little on its own to protect them (see the last few paragraphs for this suggestion)? Are we obligated to safeguard objects, temporarily, with the intention of returning them to their rightful owners as soon as possible? This, to me, seems to be the answer. But what rights do museums have? …collectors?

You might also be interested in this recent update on the trial of Marion True, the former curator of antiquities at the Getty.