Showing 1 - 7 of 7
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.
When Bangkok bid for the Olympics
Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/07/2024
» It's been 100 years since the last Paris Olympics which was dramatically portrayed in the stirring 1981 film Chariots of Fire. I can still picture that opening scene with the British athletes running along the beach to the sounds of that Vangelis anthem. It's hard to believe that was made 43 years ago. If this year's Olympics are even half as exciting as the 1924 event it will be an achievement.
Lop Buri before the monkeying around
Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/06/2024
» One of the first towns I visited in Thailand in the early 1970s was Lop Buri, about 150 km north of Bangkok. Its main appeal was its convenient three-hour train journey from Hua Lamphong. It offered a chance to escape Bangkok for a couple of days and experience a taste of life in a small town.
The sun ain't gonna shine anymore
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/03/2019
» In last week's PostScript concerning the use of the word "ain't" in music, one song not mentioned was The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, a big hit for the Walker Brothers in 1966. Sadly, the number is being remembered this week following the passing of Scott Walker at the age of 76.
Wild Boars become a part of history
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/07/2018
» This time last week the rescue mission of the 12 young Wild Boars and their coach had only been half completed. They had all been found miraculously alive, but the question remained how to get them out. And in all honesty, it didn't look great. It was a very strange, uncomfortable feeling. With heavy rains forecast, the initial joy of finding them transformed into the real fear that they could not escape what had become their watery dungeon. It was a race against time.
Breaking news: Pattaya to be 'livable'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/06/2018
» Most encouraging news of the week came on Wednesday when authorities announced a crackdown on crime in Pattaya which will finally make the city "livable". The somewhat quaintly named "Operation rooting out crime for a livable city" is admittedly a bit of a mouthful and we can only wish the boys in brown the best of luck. I mean, where do they start?
All you need is love, and a sense of the absurd
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/02/2018
» The approach of Valentine’s Day means we are heading into the annual silly season, although some might argue that in Thailand it is the silly season all year round. Valentine’s is admittedly one of the most spurious celebrations of the calendar, which probably explains why it becomes more popular here every year. However, it serves as a desperately needed break from the daily diet of depressing news.