While accompanying a friend travelling through Thailand from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket, on one of those holiday/shopping trips, I was amazed that there were so many antiques available in Thailand and most of the shops do certify that their items are antiques, like two of the sitting Buddha, three standing Buddhas, originated from Thailand and some from Myanmar, they came with certificate from the shop on it's authenticity, which my friend bought and have them shipped back to the States.
We were even told by the shop that they have to apply to the fine Arts department for permission to export.
I really do not get it. Was it not that Buddha images are not allowed to be exported? If it was an antique piece, will the fine Arts department still allow them to be shipped or exported?
Seriously, I'm thinking all the antique items my friend bought are bogus product. Copies of the original and the somehow the Fine Arts department collaborated in the scheme to have them shipped.
Thus, those certificate issued by the shop are worthless. Can the shop be sued for cheating??

If I remember correctly, you have to have a certificate to export any Buddha Image especially one that may have the appearance of an antique. If you buy a plastic one in the night market no one would care. There has been a lot of looting of relics and it is Thailand's way of trying to curb that. You can buy old but not necessarily culturally significant items all over, especially in the North. Like anything else the buyer has to be aware of frauds and if you are paying a higher price you should have the item privately appraises by an expert.

Lukamar, thanks for your input. What happens then, when the items are appraised and if found not to be genuine as stated in their certificate of authenticity? I am more concern on the part of the Fine Arts department for issuing permission to ship them. Does it add up to large scale cooperation between the business sector with the authorities, on the antique fraud?