How South-East Asian art sold in Australia passed through the hands of a suspected smuggler

Background Briefing has obtained documents that cast doubt over the provenance of significant artworks, like this 8th century sculpture, on display around the world. (Supplied: Metropolitan Museum of Art)

New evidence uncovered by the ABC has linked many Thai and Cambodian artworks sold in Australia to looted historic sites and a shady Bangkok dealer. 

The Cambodian Government has seized upon the ABC's findings and is calling on Australian galleries to return suspicious cultural artefacts "unless they can demonstrate they legally possess them".