Showing 81 - 90 of 121
Hot and maybe just a little bothered
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/04/2020
» It is customary at this time of the year for PostScript to whine about two specific topics -- the overwhelming heat and the approaching Songkran festival. As regards the first, I can safely say it has been "a bit on the warm side". In fact it's been sizzling, sweltering, scorching and for us ancient folks, totally discombobulating, or to use the correct meteorological terminology, "bloody hot".
From Billy the goat to William Windsor
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/04/2020
» An unexpected outcome of the coronavirus is that around the world wildlife is taking advantage of empty towns and visiting the deserted streets. One such example is in Llandudno, a resort town on the Irish Sea in northern Wales. During the past week spotted strolling around the town centre was a herd of Kashmir (Cashmere) Goats, which have been enjoying themselves dining on the town's tasty hedgerows.
Shake hands on it… on second thoughts
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/03/2020
» I was at a recent gathering with friends in Bangkok where the customary handshakes were replaced by a variety of awkward fist bumps, elbow nudges, foot-shakes, waving of arms and other silly ways of saying "hello". But there were definitely no nose-to-nose greetings. Not shaking hands with your closest friends is probably the most noticeable example of how the Covid-19 crisis has affected everyday life. Even Britain's Queen Elizabeth has let it be known that she will not be shaking hands with anyone "for the foreseeable future".
The Early Bird has made his last flight
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/03/2020
» Over the years there have been many talented foreigners who made Thailand their home. One such person was Australian Jim Davison who pioneered English language radio broadcasting after arriving in 1966 and continued for five decades. I am sad to report Davison passed away in Australia recently at the grand age of 104.
The smoking volcano and the disco queen
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/01/2020
» Nearly eight years ago, an item in this column concluded: "If the Taal volcano does ever erupt again, I'll put on my Donna Summer album for old times' sake." An explanation of this curious combination of a songstress and a volcano is required.
2019 more a celebration of 1969
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/12/2019
» It is customary at this time of the year to take a look at some of the major happenings of the past 12 months. This past year has been rather unusual in that it marked a host of significant 50th anniversaries. In fact the year was almost as much about 1969 as 2019. So to kick things off, let's just recall a few of those events 50 years ago.
Season of silly hats and hangovers
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/12/2019
» The festive season -- otherwise known in Thailand as "Jinger Ben" time -- is well upon us, not that there is too much to get festive about.
'Flying comma' suffers a bumpy landing
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/12/2019
» Although it didn't make the headlines, there was a small item of news last week that will sadden those who treasure the English language. It looks like the poor old apostrophe is coming to a full stop. Finally admitting defeat, the chairman of Britain's Apostrophe Protection Society dedicated to preserving the much-abused punctuation mark, threw in the towel and announced it was all over, stating "the ignorance and laziness in modern times have won".
It all began with 'Newsgirl Nan' in 1960
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/11/2019
» Switch on BBC World Service television and there is a good chance there will be a female news presenter. Among the more familiar faces these days are Lucy Hockings, Sally Bundock, Philippa Thomas and Karin Giannone. I'm always amazed how calm and relaxed they look in what must be such a stressful job.
Why a teen girl in Korat cried all night
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/11/2019
» It is always uncomfortable to read about hard-working people who are taken advantage of by unscrupulous characters. This appears to be the case with "Orm", a 15-year-old girl in Korat who had been making krathong floats for tomorrow's Loy Krathong festival, only to be arrested and fined for alleged copyright infringement.