Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Keeping in step with ballroom moves
Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/11/2025
» The most entertaining news of the week was the response to President Donald Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House so he can build a "big, beautiful ballroom". It is probably fair to say it prompted a "mixed reaction" -- many being totally horrified.
From Fleet Street to the Big Chilli
Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/05/2024
» It came as a shock to learn that long-time friend and colleague Colin Hastings died on Monday in Bang Saray when he suffered heart failure and the car he was driving collided with a wall. He was 73. Here are a few personal memories of Colin, best known as publisher of Big Chilli magazine.
Why Pele was such a joy to watch
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/01/2023
» All week there have been eloquent tributes to the great Brazilian footballer Pele. The news of Pele's death came too late for last week's column but I would like to offer a belated salute, however inadequate, to this man who provided such joy to my generation. Just like Muhammad Ali in boxing, Pele transcended his own sport to become a figure of international standing.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/12/2020
» In the mid-1970s, while travelling on the slowest train in the world from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, I recall reading a substantial chunk of John Le Carre's espionage novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Though not a fast-paced book, it still had more momentum than the wretched train.
August can be a very wicked month
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/08/2020
» My goodness, we are already into August, but with the coronavirus it feels like the year has hardly got started. Six months seem to have simply disappeared and worse, I've got a year older with nothing to show for it but a few more wrinkles. I also have an uncomfortable feeling I will still be wearing a face mask next August.
More a sorry scrawl than a signature
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/09/2019
» Visiting the bank the other day I had to sign a bunch of documents that no doubt would be carefully filed away to collect dust in a basement, never to be seen again. By the time I had finished I was uncomfortably aware that no two signatures of mine are exactly the same, even when written in close succession.
The golden age of the 'Hippie Trail'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/09/2019
» Travelling long distances overland has always captured the imagination and it seems the passion still remains. Three Land Rovers stopped over in Bangkok earlier this week in what is being called "The Last Expedition" which is taking on the more than 14,000km journey overland from Singapore to London.
A commuter's lot is not a happy one
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/07/2018
» Commuting in Bangkok has never been much fun and last week it got a whole lot worse if you happened to be a regular traveller on the BTS. The word "frustration" springs to mind, with perhaps a touch of "exasperation", "agitation" and a general feeling of "disgruntlement". It was definitely not good for the blood pressure.
All Blacks star remembers the pain of 1995 defeat
Sports, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/06/2018
» One is an All Blacks legend and the other arguably one of the most exciting rugby players England has produced in recent years. But despite playing in different eras, both Andrew Mehrtens and Anthony Watson recognise rugby's future is very much in the hands of the kids.
The day the tree came tumbling down
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 13/05/2018
» Last week I suffered the distressing experience of watching the biggest tree in my garden be chopped down to a stump. The tree had been there for a decade, growing rapidly every year, and it felt almost like losing a favourite pet. I should explain that although I love trees, this arboreal assault was given my reluctant approval as the tree had grown to a such a height that if it came down in a storm it would demolish half of the house. All the same, I felt very uncomfortable watching it being hacked away branch by branch.