Showing 1 - 10 of 12
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.
Paper bags, patriotism and mushy peas
Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/08/2025
» One of the more thought-provoking stories of the week was an unnamed Thai hospital being fined after it was discovered private files on patients were being used to make paper bags for popular street snacks. Apparently some people at the business entrusted with destroying the files instead took them home and made paper bags out of them.
Watch your step these stormy nights
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/05/2025
» The rainstorms during the past week have been really refreshing. They've cooled things down a bit which is quite a relief after perspiring my way through April. I also appreciate the accompanying rolling thunder which provides a stirring theatrical soundtrack for the rain sloshing down. It's just another reminder of how powerful Mother Nature can be.
The curious case of the missing column
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/04/2023
» Many thanks to readers who expressed concern about the non-appearance of PostScript last Sunday. Some feared Crutch might have been under the weather or had even departed for the Great Typewriter in the Sky. Others thought I had fled the scene in a bid to escape Songkran, which in retrospect would not have been a bad idea.
Final curtain call for grand old station
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/12/2021
» There is some debate concerning the fate of Bangkok's 105-year-old Hua Lamphong railway station which is scheduled to close at the end of the month. Hopefully a happy compromise can be reached with the station being preserved as a museum and its immediate area a public park. The State Railway of Thailand should also be given leeway to make itself some money, even if it means yet another mall.
Thailand becoming even more amazing
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/11/2021
» With the kingdom opening up again the Tourist Authority of Thailand have announced that they are primarily interested in "quality tourists". What exactly constitutes a quality tourist is not entirely clear, but one suspects it's a polite way of saying anyone with lots of money. No riff-raff or hoi polloi please.
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.
Well, it's only a slogan after all
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/05/2020
» The Tourism Authority of Thailand has decreed that the "Amazing Thailand" slogan will need rebranding once the coronavirus situation is sorted out. So from October, we will be treated to "Amazing Trusted Thailand", emphasising safety and aimed at "high-end" tourists. Well-intentioned as it may be, this new slogan doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and the middle word may prompt a few wry smiles.
2018: The rescue that gripped the world
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/12/2018
» It ended up as a truly inspiring feel-good story, but could so easily have been a heart-breaking tragedy. That was why the tale of the Wild Boars football team -- 12 young Thai boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave system in Chiang Rai -- held the attention of the world for more than a fortnight.
Creatures great and small, bless them all
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/09/2018
» At the end of this month Dusit Zoo, better known as Khao Din, is shutting its gates after 80 years. Its 1,300 residents are moving to temporary accommodation in six provincial zoos until their new home opens in Pathum Thani in another three years. Moving can be quite a traumatic experience for animals, and we wish them all well.