A taxi driver in Bangkok returned a 200-year-old violin worth Bt18 million to a renowned Chinese violinist who had left it in his cab.
Thong Lor police collaborated with JS100 traffic radio to locate the driver who picked up a Chinese passenger from a restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 26. When the passenger, a world-renowned concert violinist, exited the taxi, he left behind a bag containing the violin.
Pol Sgt Maj Kriangkrai Kornthaisong, an investigation officer at the police station, said the musician Xue Wei requested police assistance to examine closed circuit video from the locations where he entered and exited the taxi, but they were unable to view the taxi’s licence plate.
The cab driver, Uthen Denkhunthod, was located by JS100 radio after police requested assistance. According to the police, Uthen arrived at the station and turned over the 200-year-old violin to a Chinese friend of Xue Wei.
The friend man thanked Uthen, stating that his celebrity acquaintance was thrilled to hear that the driver had been contacted.
After learning that his passenger had left his bag in his taxi, Uthen did not know who to contact, so he informed the proprietor of the taxi garage before retiring for the night.
When he awoke and checked his phone, he discovered that JS100 had left him several missed calls. He called back, which initiated the return of the priceless musical instrument. The appreciative violinist gave the chauffeur a gift
