Well, that was a bust...

From Today's Vientiane Times:

A Buddha image recently discovered in the Mekong River in Vientiane, rumored to be a rare emerald figure missing since the 19th century, has been found to be of slightly more recent origin. The artifact was found last Saturday evening in Vientiane’s Hadsayfong district, by local young fisherman, while he was setting fishnets with his grandfather. The small statue weights 5.3 Kg and is 37 cm wide by 47 cm high with a hollow centre, which is why the two were able to spot it floating along the Mekong River.

To find out the reality behind the mysterious green figure, the Vientiane Information and Culture Department collaborated with the district authorities to take the image for testing last Monday. Deputy Director of the Department Mr. Soutan Phonsongkham said to local media that the statue is Hindu in style and not Buddhist, and is not remotely rare or valuable. The image is made from plastic with a hollow inside, and features various decorative items which are not visible in Buddhist imagery, so the figure is not a Buddha image at all.