• OPINION

  Welcome to the really silly season

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/12/2023

  » It's Christmas Eve and we are well into the Jinger Ben season in Thailand (Jingle Bells to the uninitiated). But in these dodgy times one suspects there might not be too much jingling going on. Nonetheless, considering all the gloomy news of late, a couple of weeks of being a bit daft offers a welcome break. So we might as well make the most of the Jinger Ben jollity, like a lady teller at my bank who was sporting some rather cute rabbit ears.

• OPINION

  Brits can still put on a good show

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/05/2023

  » Considering how depressing the world news has been lately, the coronation of King Charles III last weekend provided a brief diversion. It might not be everybody's cup of tea but the Brits certainly know how to put on a show if a bit of history is involved. They're good at pomp and pageantry and most importantly love a parade with plenty of horses.

• OPINION

  It all began with Rhett and Scarlett

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/03/2022

  » With the Oscars upon us this weekend it seems an apt time to recall choice lines from past films.

• OPINION

  Well, after that things can only get better

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/12/2020

  » What a dreadful year. We found ourselves having to tackle a whole new vocabulary and most of the words were enough to make even the most optimistic among us depressed. It all began in March with "self-isolation", a horrible expression inferring you have become a hermit, hidden away, exiled, incommunicado, which in fact is exactly what we were.

• OPINION

  Don't judge these books by their titles

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/11/2018

  » It is generally agreed that a snappy title helps the sales of a book, although some can be a real turnoff. With this in mind, for 40 years the English literary magazine Bookseller, has been holding an annual award for the oddest book title. Also known as the Diagram Prize, last year's winner was the enthralling The Commuter Pig Keeper which just edged out the thought-provoking Nipples on My Knee.

• OPINION

  Food for thought and deep pockets

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/12/2017

  » Reading about the launch of Bangkok's first-ever Michelin Guide, I felt a little guilty having just consumed my own gourmet dish of baked beans on toast. A generous topping of grated parmesan cheese hardly lifted it into a creation that would win the approval of a Michelin bon vivant. Anyway, congratulations to all the restaurants that get a mention, even though I can't afford them. I wonder if any of them do a chip butty or mushy peas?

• OPINION

  A fond farewell to my little furry friend

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/12/2017

  » My dog Toby died last Sunday and I've been a bit down in the dumps this week. He was only a little fellow -- a Shih Tzu -- but had been a faithful companion for 14 years and brought me much happiness. Like anyone who has had a pet for that long, I'm going to miss him desperately.

• OPINION

  All it took was a raised eyebrow or two

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/06/2017

  » I was saddened to hear the news concerning the recent passing of British actor Roger Moore at 89. He was a classic English gentleman with an appealing self-deprecating sense of humour.

• OPINION

  An appreciation of a remarkable king

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/10/2016

  » Not being Thai, whatever I say concerning His Majesty the King will be inadequate. But having lived in Thailand for the past 47 years, I feel like he has also become my king and I would like to at least attempt to express my admiration for what he achieved in his 70-year reign.

• OPINION

  Now Trump really gets what he wants

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 13/11/2016

  » As Americans went to the polls on Tuesday, the <i>Miami Herald</i> ran what must have been its shortest-ever editorial which simply read: "Her, Not Him, Enough Said."

1 2 3 Next Last