Showing 1 - 8 of 8
A missing item in the rural soundtrack
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/01/2026
» As usual at this time of the year I have been enjoying life in the Northeastern province of Chaiyaphum for several weeks. However on this visit there was something slightly different which I couldn't immediately put my finger on. It took a few days before realising I was not being woken up by the usual early morning chorus of roosters or chickens of any sort.
A medley of moonlight, stars and pines
Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/09/2023
» The answer to a crossword clue I recently tackled was "Vermont" which immediately triggered memories of the beautiful 1950's song Moonlight in Vermont. When I first heard the tune as a kid it created such an alluring image of moon rays amid sycamore trees I dug out the atlas to find out where Vermont was actually located. It even looked nice on the map, tucked up in the right-hand corner of the US.
It's not easy getting a decent mug shot
Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/09/2023
» There has been some debate in recent weeks concerning mug shots as a result of a high-profile legal case in the United States which readers will be relieved to learn I am not writing about. Suffice to say there is an entertaining variety of expressions in the mug shots, ranging from deep defiance from a certain gentleman, to bemusement from others, while one of them looks like they've just realised they left the kettle on at home.
Glimmer of hope for foot soldiers
Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/07/2023
» There was encouraging news for Bangkok's pedestrians last week when the city governor announced that during the coming year there would be a major upgrade of pavements in the Big Mango. It was promised that some pavements might even become "walkable". Well, best of luck with that.
Shaking off the laundromat blues
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/03/2023
» In last week's item concerning boutiques I wondered whether their influence could extend as far as the world of laundromats. My thanks to reader Jenifer Divine in Hamburg for informing me that in the German city's St Pauli district there is a laundromat dedicated to Jimi Hendrix which just about gives it boutique status.
News that is driving us all up the wall
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/01/2019
» Just as most Brits must be sick to death of ever hearing the word Brexit, across the Pond one suspects the majority of Americans have also had more than their fill of The Wall. You can't escape those dreaded words even here in Thailand. Switch on the satellite news and you will be bombarded by the two topics, analysed by every expert in the world, most of whom happen to have just written a book on the subject.
Rescue effort gripped the world
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/07/2018
» It is hard to imagine what went through the trapped teenagers' minds when two British divers suddenly emerged from the murky depths of Tham Luang cave on Monday night. They were the first people the kids had seen in nine dark days. But that first exchange told everyone what they wanted to hear. "How many of you? Thirteen? Brilliant!'' They had not lost anyone, and it was indeed brilliant news.
Time to get the sledgehammers out
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/05/2018
» Life is full of surprises, especially if you are living in Thailand, as a long-time English resident discovered recently. His work involves a lot of overseas travel and after one exhausting trip he was happy to get home to his Sukhumvit apartment and catch up on some much-needed sleep.