Ownership Dispute Over 'Phra Phutthabat' Artwork Heads to Court

Matichon•General•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Chutima Nuanphlap prepares to sue a National Artist and the Ministry of Culture to reclaim ownership of the 'Phra Phutthabat' artwork.

•Chutima Nuanphlap claims she bought the 'Phra Phutthabat' artwork from a National Artist for 700,000 baht in 2010.
•Pichai Nirun, a National Artist, allegedly borrowed the work for display before selling it to the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.
•The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture asserts the purchase was legal and denies responsibility.
•Chutima Nuanphlap is scheduled to file a lawsuit at the Civil Court on July 21, 2026.

•Chutima Nuanphlap purchased the artwork 'Phra Phutthabat' from a National Artist for 700,000 baht in 2010.
•A dispute arose after Pichai Nirun borrowed the artwork for an exhibition and subsequently sold it to the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.
•The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture maintains that the purchase of the artwork was correct and declines any responsibility.
•Aswinnee Whanching apologized to Chutima Nuanphlap in court regarding a case involving information that affected the reputation of Chutima Nuanphlap.
•Pichai Nirun agreed to withdraw a defamation lawsuit against Chutima Nuanphlap regarding posts about the ownership of 'Phra Phutthabat'.
•Chutima Nuanphlap will file a lawsuit against the National Artist and the Ministry of Culture to reclaim the artwork.
•The lawsuit is scheduled to be filed on July 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Civil Court on Ratchadapisek Road.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Chutima Nuanphlap(ชุติมา นวลพลับ)

The person claiming ownership of the 'Phra Phutthabat' artwork.

Pichai Nirun(พิชัย นิรันต์)

A National Artist involved in a dispute over the 'Phra Phutthabat' artwork.

Noraset Nanongtum(นรเศรษฐ์ นาหนองตูม)

The lawyer providing updates on the legal proceedings via Facebook.

Aswinnee Whanching(อัศวิณีย์ หวานจริง)

A person who apologized to Chutima Nuanphlap in court for impacting her reputation.

Office of Contemporary Art and Culture(สำนักงานศิลปวัฒนธรรมร่วมสมัย)

The agency that purchased the 'Phra Phutthabat' artwork.

Ministry of Culture(กระทรวงวัฒนธรรม)ℹ️

The ministry that will be sued by Chutima Nuanphlap to return the artwork.

Civil Court (Ratchadapisek Road)(ศาลแพ่ง (ถนนรัชดาภิเษก))

The location where the lawsuit will be filed on July 21, 2026.