Showing 1 - 10 of 15
News bulletins are going 'off-ramp'
Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/03/2026
» An expression that is being used with increasing frequency in recent news reports, particularly concerning the goings on in the Middle East, is "off-ramp". Switch on the TV and it won't be long before a "talking head" will be authoritatively discussing "off-ramp" opportunities.
Great debates… and some not so great
Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/03/2025
» No-confidence debates similar to that which took place in the Thai parliament earlier in the week have become something of a tradition in the kingdom, but I can’t recall any such motion ever being successful. Still, at least it gives the MPs an opportunity to share their words of wisdom with us hoi polloi.
Thailand's most unlikely A-list celebrity
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/09/2024
» Unless you have been in hibernation for the past few weeks you may have noticed that making the news has been the two-month-old female pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng (Bouncy Pork) which has been attracting large crowds to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. The little hippo, which acquired its name due to its "bouncy" behaviour has become an internet celebrity and indeed, an international star. She even made a guest appearance on the BBC World news.
Sad tale of a sycamore and a chainsaw
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/10/2023
» Every now and again there is a news story that leaves you scratching your head prompting the question "What were they thinking?" That was my reaction on reading of the destruction by vandals of an iconic sycamore tree in the northern England county of Northumberland.
Spies in the sky blowin' in the wind
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/02/2023
» The current "balloon" wars have been quite entertaining in a weird sort of way with a strange mix of espionage, propaganda and porky pies that are just enough to capture the public's imagination. Perhaps secretly we would like one of these unidentified flying objects (UFO) to be something a bit more mysterious than simply a common weather balloon. But we haven't quite yet reached the "little green men" stage.
A grim year rescued by Paddington Bear
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/12/2022
» It is customary at this time of the year to take a not-too-serious look back at the events of the past 12 months. It is not that easy because it's been a pretty miserable year highlighted by the madness of the war in Ukraine.
Mushrooms make their presence felt
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/10/2022
» The most exciting news of the week is that mushrooms were found growing on a seat of an active Bangkok bus. In addition to carrying passengers on the No 82 route from Phra Pradaeng to Phahurat, the bus featured a battered seat covered in newly sprouted mushrooms. Alas, the seat has now been replaced by spoilsport officials following complaints from passengers unimpressed by sitting next to a seat covered in fast-growing fungi.
Tuning in to the opening day of May
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/05/2022
» Well, here we are in the first 24 hours of the magical month of May. According to the dictionary, May Day is the time for "a celebration of the coming of Spring". Unfortunately, we don't experience Spring in Thailand and are still perspiring our way through the hot season, hoping Jupiter Pluvius might oblige with an occasional refreshing shower.
Sunken 'ghost ship' could haunt Gulf fish
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/01/2022
» The week began promisingly with the discovery of a mystery "ghost ship" drifting in the Gulf of Thailand with no crew, cargo or documents aboard -- not even any defiant rodents. First spotted by Chevron oil-rig workers, the dilapidated Fin Shui Yuan 2, appeared to be a freighter of Chinese origin. Unfortunately, the vessel sunk in rough seas off the Nakhon Sri Thammarat coast while being towed towards land by the Thai Navy.
The magical world of far away places
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/04/2021
» Earlier this week I was chatting with friends about which places around the globe captured their imagination most when they were kids. One was fascinated by Mandalay, while another said Pondicherry caught his eye. Zanzibar was another name that cropped up.