Showing 1 - 10 of 14
We can always live in a dollhouse
Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/07/2024
» Thai tourism authorities are always quick to make the most of any new fad, which might explain the appearance of a life-sized Labubu doll on the front page of the Bangkok Post this week. Apparently, the mascot is part of a promotion to attract Chinese tourists. I confess to not knowing anything about the Labubu craze although the Post's doll correspondent informs me the designer doll is a "kind-hearted monster with pointed ears and serrated teeth". Hmmm.
Tea for two and a sandwich at the Palace
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/06/2022
» There seems to be a consensus in Britain that the best moment of the Jubilee was Paddington Bear taking afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
In the wake of the not so great debate
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/10/2020
» While there might have been an element of entertainment in a perverse sort of way watching the US presidential candidates slagging one another off like squabbling children, these politicians still have a lot to learn in the art of insulting behaviour.
You can't beat that old black magic
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/06/2019
» It is well-known that superstition is deeply ingrained in Thailand, from the poorest farmers to the richest businessmen, politicians and even prime ministers. If things go wrong, malevolent spirits often get the blame and the only way to solve the issue is to indulge in exotic ceremonies to appease them. It makes sense really -- in Thailand you won't get anywhere until you've got the ghosts and the supernatural on your side.
Taking a strong stance on doughnuts
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/04/2018
» It was Oscar Wilde who famously observed "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it," which is my excuse for munching on a free doughnut proffered by staffers at a bakery in Bangkok last week. It was only a little one and wasn't that tasty -- too much sugar -- but I still scoffed it down, quietly cursing Mr Wilde's seductive bon mot.
From Lord Buckethead to 'Bus Pass Elvis'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/06/2017
» One of the few entertaining aspects of the recent British election is the variety of characters that run for office, invariably representing parties with daft names. It serves as a reminder that politics doesn't have to be a total bore. These eccentrics were particularly noticeable in the constituencies in which the "big names" were running. It was enough for BBC television anchor David Dimbleby to sniff that the election "seems to attract every, Tom, Dick and Harry".
Forget missiles, what about the cigars?
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/12/2016
» When you are as ancient as me, certain current events act as reminder of major incidents in the past. This was the case last week with the death of Fidel Castro.
Fire engines in the firing line again
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/07/2016
» It looks like we might be at the start of another fire engine saga, something the unfortunate Thai public has become all too familiar with over the years.
It’s beginning to look like walking wounded
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/04/2014
» Being a Thai politician can be a more hazardous occupation than you imagine. For a start they have to put up with all the insults. They may be thick skinned, but after a while being called a “buffalo”, “lizard” or “toad” must get on their nerves.
It might help to be just a little bit loony
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/02/2014
» Amidst the current political morass in what is rapidly becoming Far Too Amazing Thailand, there have been growing calls for a new party to emerge with a fresh vision to lead the people into a future which doesn't involve shutting down Bangkok or blowing whistles.