Unknown Wasp from Thailand

Subject: Hornet?
Location: Thailand, near Chiang Mai
October 27, 2012 9:43 pm
I saw this bug in Thailand. As I was taking its picture our taxi driver went running away in fear and told me NOT to mess with this bug. What is it?
Signature: M. Goldsmith

Dear M. Goldsmith,
We have not had any luck identifying this amazing Wasp that might be a Hornet. We whish you had a view of the face.

Thank you for trying!  I wish I had a picture of the face too.
The cab driver ran away when he saw the bug, so I felt foolish
for taking the one picture that I did!  I ended up following him
running away!