Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Thai casinos are looming, you can bet on it
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/09/2024
» It seems the Thai authorities are determined to open casinos as part of a large entertainment complex. The casino debate has been going on for decades during which an estimated 100 committees have been set up to mull, ponder, reflect, ruminate and even excogitate the pros and cons only to decide not to come to a decision.
Commander in White House doghouse
Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/10/2023
» It was Harry Truman who reportedly advised would-be presidents: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Perhaps he should have added "as long as it doesn't bite".
It's not easy getting a decent mug shot
Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/09/2023
» There has been some debate in recent weeks concerning mug shots as a result of a high-profile legal case in the United States which readers will be relieved to learn I am not writing about. Suffice to say there is an entertaining variety of expressions in the mug shots, ranging from deep defiance from a certain gentleman, to bemusement from others, while one of them looks like they've just realised they left the kettle on at home.
It all began with a soapy TV 'moustache'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/09/2022
» With Liz Truss becoming the 56th British prime minister, it got me thinking about how many PMs there have been in my lifetime. The answer is 16, going back to Clement Atlee, which is a bit scary. In fact, while I was still residing in the UK there were only six PMs.
Those wonderful signs of the times
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/05/2022
» For many months there had been a large green road sign near the entrance to my local mall in eastern Bangkok which read "Entrace", the second "n" having gone missing in action. It was a minor thing and I was resigned to seeing it for years to come. However, I am pleased to report the rogue "n" has surprisingly been located and now the mall has a proper "Entrance" again. Congratulations to the eagle-eyed official who spotted the missing "n".
The physician with music in his soul
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/11/2021
» Many foreigners have chosen to make Thailand their home over the years and some go on to embrace the kingdom in such a manner that their contributions to the country will never be forgotten. One such person was British doctor Patrick (Paddy) Dickson who sadly died last week following a heart attack at the age of 92.
For some, it's all getting to be a yawn
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/04/2020
» One of the most common complaints arising from the current self-isolation is fighting off boredom. This is especially the case for kids, even though they have smartphones and other electronic gadgets with which to amuse themselves. I don't envy parents of young children.
We need to look after creepy-crawlies
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/02/2019
» There was a disturbing report this week that the world is running out of insects, primarily due to pesticide poisoning. Having just read an article in which a scientist warned "if insects were to disappear, the world would fall apart", I suspect this is not good news. However, the world already seems to be falling apart without any help from absent insects. Admittedly the declining insect population is difficult to appreciate in Thailand where it is hard to experience a day without an encounter with some kind of bug. In my small garden there are plenty of crawling things creeping about, ready to sneakily bite me at the first opportunity.
A pleasant escape into La La Land
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/01/2017
» I must admit to being a bit wary of cinema musicals, simply because if you don't like the music, it's unlikely you will enjoy the film. When I saw that La La Land was showing in Bangkok, the prospect of sitting through a "musical romance" did not appeal at all.
White House in-tray still looking a bit grim
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/01/2017
» When Barack Obama won the US presidential election more than eight years ago, the BBC commented that when he took over the White House from George W Bush a few months later, he would be inheriting "the in-box from Hell".