Priceless 200 year old violin finds way back to maestro in Bangkok

[snoop1130]

 

A 200 year old violin valued at 18 million baht (US$ 514,580) has been returned to its esteemed owner, a celebrated Chinese violinist after he accidentally left it behind in a Bangkok taxi.

 

A coordinated effort from Thong Lor police and JS100 traffic radio was indispensable in locating the taxi driver who had ferried the Chinese passenger from a restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 26. The passenger, the globally recognised violinist Xue Wei, disembarked from the taxi, inadvertently leaving behind a bag carrying the precious violin.

 

According to Police Sergent Major Kriangkrai Kornthaisong, an investigation officer at the Thong Lor Police Station, Xue Wei sought the assistance of the police to inspect CCTV footage from the locations where he boarded and exited the taxi. However, they were unable to identify the taxi’s licence plate, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The police, in turn, sought help from JS100 radio, who successfully traced the driver, Uthen Denkhunthod. Uthen arrived at the Thong Lor Police Station late Wednesday evening and presented the 200 year old violin to a Chinese associate of Xue Wei, said Pol. Sgt. Maj. Kriangkrai.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Picture courtesy of js100

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/bangkok-taxi-driver-returns-200-year-old-violin-worth-18-million-baht-to-renowned-chinese-violinist-2

 

-- The Thaiger 2023-08-31

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[transam]

Great story, but think I would have a half million dollar instrument in a more substantial case than that...

[ikke1959]

Unbelievable

[hotchilli]

Did I miss some bad news on Wednesday?

[klauskunkel]

hmm, must have missed some reputation tarnishing event in the last couple of days...

[Gandtee]

11 hours ago, transam said:

Great story, but think I would have a half million dollar instrument in a more substantial case than that...

And then they dropped it.????

[Troy Tempest]

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

200 year old violin valued at 18 million baht (US$ 514,580)

I heard on the radio station that the taxi driver received a voucher from the owner for returning the violin. 

 

From reading stories like this, I understand why most taxi drivers don't return forgotten items. 

 

A bloody voucher????

Edited September 1, 2023 by SAFETY FIRST

[roo860]

So no 'fiddling' the meter.

[Myran]

"Priceless 200 year old violin"

"violin valued at 18 million baht"

 

Huge kudos to whoever managed to put a price on this priceless violin.

[newnative]

    Agree with the above.  Not 'priceless', half a million bucks and change.  Hold the hype.  The violinist must be an idiot, first to carry it around in what looks like a very unprotective sack and then forgetting it altogether.