Showing 1 - 10 of 233
Rethink the tax on sugary drinks
Oped, Adis Israngkura na Ayudya, Published on 24/08/2016
» Thailand has had the bright idea of curbing public health problems such as obesity and heart diseases by imposing an excise tax on sugary drinks sold mainly in convenience stores. This idea has been implemented in some developed countries such as the UK, US, Norway, Denmark and France. In the case of the Thai tax scheme, the sugary drinks to be taxed include, for instance, carbonated drinks, green tea, canned coffee, energy drinks, sour milk, soymilk and bottled juice. The tax rates to be imposed on such sugary drinks are 20% for those with sugar concentrations between 6g-10g per 100ml while those with higher sugar concentrations will be subject to 25% tax.
Take this tea tale with a pinch of salt
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/02/2024
» Last month a US scientist caused bit of a stir in Britain when she suggested adding a pinch of salt was the secret to a perfect cup of tea. Not surprisingly this bold assertion from someone across the pond did not go down too well with the traditional tea-drinking English public. In some cases the reaction almost reached "boiling point".
Can't beat a good hometown name
Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/02/2024
» There was a brief US news item last week concerning Groundhog Day, an annual ceremony in Pennsylvania in which a large but docile rodent emerges from its burrow and predicts the weather for the coming year. No need for professional forecasters. It is celebrated in a small Pennsylvania town with the magnificent name of Punxsutawney.
Farewell to two fine former colleagues
Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/12/2023
» Far too many of my former Bangkok Post colleagues have passed away this year and this week things got even worse with two more old pals gone.
If it's 'early doors' there's plenty of time
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/06/2023
» A Thai reader asked recently the meaning of the expression "early doors" which he had heard used frequently in English football commentaries. It has become quite a familiar observation in sport to indicate a game is still at an early stage. It also creeps into everyday language although perhaps in the more common form of "early days".
Going bananas over the 'Day-O' song
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/05/2023
» The recent death of the gifted Jamaican-American singer Harry Belafonte at the age of 96 inevitably sparked memories of when his biggest hit "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" swept the globe, including Britain.
How Putin's war ended dream of another Russia
Oped, Published on 25/02/2023
» It has now been a year since Russia, my birthplace, invaded Ukraine. For 365 days, we have been waking up to news of Russian missile strikes, bombings, murders, torture and rape. It has been 365 days of shame and confusion, of wanting to turn away but needing to know what is happening, of watching Russians become "ruscists", "Orks" or "putinoids". For 365 days, the designation "Russian-American", previously straightforward, has felt like a contradiction in terms.
Cops are queuing up for inactive posts
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/02/2023
» It has been quite an entertaining week although admittedly not everyone involved will see the funny side. An Air Force officer says he is happy he was caught after snatching a necklace at a gold shop because he wanted to get away from his wife and a prison cell would do nicely. A rather bizarre motive, but he got his wish. Apparently a lengthy spell in the slammer beats a daily nagging.
Let's clear up ganja haze
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/06/2022
» It all began quite innocently. A staff member of a well-known public organisation ate a snack before starting a shift. Soon after, the person began babbling incoherently, unable to walk in a straight line -- let alone work -- with a supervisor claiming the staff member was "worse than drunk". As it turned out, the snack was a cookie containing an unspecified amount of cannabis extract -- the use of which was recently decriminalised by the government.
April Fools' Day Jokes That Should Be Real
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/04/2022
» Although April Fools' Day isn't a Thai tradition, to begin with, every year businesses and brands have jumped on this good-natured humour bandwagon with their out-there ideas for products and services. And I must admit some of them are simply brilliant that I wish they were true. Here're a few memorable April Fools' Day jokes I wish they could just be real for your entertainment.