Mehldau Cancels Thailand Show

Pianist Brad Mehldau has canceled a performance scheduled for next month in Thailand following an assassination attempt on the country’s prime minister, promoter Asia Music International said.

Mehldau was set to play at Bangkok’s Royal Paragon Hall on September 8th while on a seven-date tour of Asia.

Asia Music International said Mehldau’s representatives cited a “destabilizing and unpredictable atmosphere in the country” for the cancellation. Asia Music said that was determined following recent news reports of a powerful bomb hidden in a car near the residence of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

“AMI’s management deeply apologizes for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to the audience and offers to refund all purchased tickets,” the promoter said in a statement.

Thaksin has reportedly faced strong criticism from Bangkok’s middle class, academics, some military officers and others for alleged abuse of power and corruption.