Bangkok Police Break Gang Who Mugged Musician Bruce Gaston

[Richard Hall]

bruce who ?

If you are a Bangkokian you know him. If you don't know him you ain't a Bangkokian. He's part of the town. Simple as this. Makin' a move at this guy in Bangkok was surely a wrong one. Guess those muggers ain't Bangkokians but most likely they learned their lesson now. Ups, shit happens. Sometimes even in Bangkok.

[bkkjames]

Yeah not quite the same headline, john stubbs (or whoever) from surrey.....

[Richard Hall]

John who?

[zabaleta]

evil mugger givin it the pathetic 'guilty wai'.

makes you feel sick just lookin at the scumbags.

[MaiChai]

I recon he slipped the police a couple of his Thai music CDs to get them to investigate

He does look quite tired though. Apparently he is an ajarn as well.

Edited July 16, 2011 by MaiChai

[nikster]

The police here are very efficient.

They know absolutely every gang, and its activities, within their respective precincts. They have to, in order to collect their monthly subscriptions.

Where gangs get caught is when (1) they operate outside their own allotted geographical areas, thus impinging on someone else's turf, an immediate kiss of death; or (2) they accidentally attack someone of stature, be it political connections, financial sway, or whatever.

Normally, banging on a foreigner is safe -- how many of us have relatives in high places here? But Bruce Gaston happens to be one of the best known and well connected westerners in town: sod's luck to the muggers.

Word. I don't think they know everything but they usually know who the criminals are so they know where to look. Criminals, on the other hand, don't really need to hide or obscure their activities - all they need to do is pay off the police.

Targeted the wrong guy this time!

Ps I know the daughter of a military higher-up here. When she's in trouble with police, traffic ticket or DUI check or whatever, a phone call to daddy and shes on her merry way....

[Ulysses G.]

Good to hear they busted the 7 or so punks who steal. Wonder if the punks will get any real punishment...

In Thailand, the fact that they confessed to a pretty serious crime would suggest that they have already recived some pretty serious punishment from the police that arrested them.

[Ulysses G.]

He does look quite tired though.

There is nothing like getting mugged in Bangkok and then getting mugged on Thai Visa as well.

Edited July 17, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[Theo007]

Excuse me but I do not consider a man of sixty two as being old! When a Thai sends me an e-mail saying : " I like old man " I always reply " I hope you find one!" and I am sixty eight.

[Richard Hall]

Well, surely depends on the individual. Some were born already old others die young at an age of one hundred years.

Bruce has been in the entertainment industry for a very long time. Encountered him the first time back in September 1999 at the opening of German Beerhouse Tawandaeng Daeng on Rama 3. Darn, he was a real whirlwind on stage back then and surely is a musical wizard. Over the course of the years one could certainly see the traces of a demanding nightlife job but a couple of years ago it appeared like he was starting to get a bit more health conscious and cutting down. Proves, that some people do not just get older with age but also wiser. Ajarn Bruce is enjoying a lot of respect among the Thai and expat community in Bangkok and I am sure he has worked hard for it.

Yep, under the said circumstances making a move at him in his home territory, BANGKOK, was surely not smart and obviously those dumb buggers can call themselves happy that they are in police custody. Nuff said.

Heaps of luck to Bruce. See ya at Tawandaeng and watch your back. Ain't no gettin' younger and that even holds true in a home game.

Edited July 17, 2011 by Richard Hall

[Arkady]

bruce who ?

Bruce Gaston is the musicial director of Tawan Daeng pub on Rama III and teaches music at Mahidol University. He specialises in fusion music combining Western and Thai traditional instruments and is an accomplished pianist himself. He also happens to have a royal decoration which may have helped contribute to the speedy police response.

[Garry]

I wonder if the gang was specifically targeting the elderly or infirm? Mr. Gaston is approx 62. Tan Network reports that Navapon Leepad confessed that he and 7 associates physically attacked Mr. Gaston and stole his handbag. SRather pathetic to beat up on an old man like that. Good to see the BiB stop the gang from terrorizing others.

And what about the Scottish lady who died from her injuries after being dragged to the ground by thugs on a motorcycle who grabbed her bag, I think it was on Sukomvik around 2 years ago. I think her name was Mrs Rioch. Maybe this gang have an answer..

Remember the old lady who was severely injured last year (I think it was?) by a drive by grab? I wonder if the police will focus on this with them as well? Not saying these guys did it, but if the guys are proven to be guilty of this kind of thing, then perhaps they have knowledge of the old lady as well.

Didn't notice your post but have to agree that it would be something for the police to look into. Didn't realise the lady had died though

[SomTumTiger]

bruce who ?

Bruce Gaston is the musicial director of Tawan Daeng pub on Rama III and teaches music at Mahidol University. He specialises in fusion music combining Western and Thai traditional instruments and is an accomplished pianist himself. He also happens to have a royal decoration which may have helped contribute to the speedy police response.

He teaches music at Chulalongkorn University, not Mahidol.

[SteeleJoe]

Good story. Where are all the negative comments about how supposedly inept Thai police are? Where are all the comments about how "no one helps them." Give this short article a good read. Read it over and over again. Memorize it. Make it your mantra until you stop whining.

Personally, I don't generally think it's about ineptness but more about the fact that they often don't care about law enforcement per se but only about what benefits/hurts them.

Cracking a high profile case with no downside for them (unlike cracking some cases that would have a downside for them) is hardly an indication of their general performance.

[alexmaniax]

Klongtan until Pra Kanong, the whole Soi PridiArea has always been (rel) "dangerous", Police two years ago considerd the are unsafe!

I am REALLY looking worn out, yes, so nobody ever harmed me in 20 years in LOS. .... and I always have a smile on my face. Maybe thats the reason????