Showing 1 - 10 of 19
What's in a name change?
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 15/09/2019
» It's been an intense week for Thailand's deputy agriculture minister, whose dubious past as a drug runner has been revealed in an exposé in The Sydney Morning Herald, written by one Michael Ruffles.
The colour of money
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 08/04/2018
» One morning this week, in the seaside town of Ban Chang, Rayong, two major life events occurred simultaneously at the local temple school. One was raucous, the other full of trepidation.
All change at Sukhumvit
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 24/12/2017
» An important high-level meeting this week resulted in my being driven down Sukhumvit Road from the Phloenchit intersection all the way to Asok. This was largely due to my driver taking a wrong turn.
When the 'good people' cannot preach morality
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 21/05/2017
» Three new government campaigns have started over the past week. A police campaign demands motorists stop at zebra crossings in an effort to curb the rising road toll. The Transport Ministry has ordered public vans pick up no more than 13 passengers per trip. And the Social Development Ministry is cracking down on government officers, asking them to stop the practice of procuring underage prostitutes as gifts for their departmental heads.
Street food purge leaves a bitter taste
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 23/04/2017
» Living in Bangkok is like winning the lottery; it's surprising how many relatives and friends, and children of estranged friends, come out of the woodwork at holiday time. I have international visitors visiting me regularly, dear reader. This is how I know, despite being allergic to seafood, precisely how long it takes for fish to go off.
The road is all the rage these days
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 13/11/2016
» What is more valuable in the Land of Smiles -- a brand new luxury car or the dignity of the lower classes?
Response and responsibility
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 02/10/2016
» The older woman appears at the classroom door five minutes into the lesson, staring blankly at us all. Her hair is short and held back by a colourless hairband. Her faded clothes complement her displeasure, and there is a permanent downturn at both ends of her mouth. It is difficult to discern whether the blank look is one of disapproval or disinterest. We are about to find out.
New tricks for old grudges
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 04/09/2016
» Running a language school where most of the students are primary school children can be a little daunting at times. There are moments when we are not teachers but instead have to be mentors, adjudicators, father confessors, judges … you name it. Especially in the upper primary school classes.
Songkran set to dry
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 10/04/2016
» If you're one of the expected half a million foreign tourists arriving in Thailand this week, then here is a column especially for you.
Man of the cloth
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 08/03/2015
» What a coincidence. In the very same week the temple known as Wat Phra Dhammakaya was under scrutiny over its abbot’s behaviour, your columnist was himself experiencing his first full day of being frocked.