Showing 21 - 30 of 102
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.
Maoist or not, football looks ripe for revolution
News, Published on 28/02/2023
» It's a fair bet that not everyone will be a fan of the government's proposed English football revolution, which will create an independent regulator and push for a more equitable sharing of the revenues generated by the world's most popular soccer league. When the idea was floated in 2021, the chief executive officer of Premier League club Leeds United decried redistribution as "Maoist collective agriculturalism". That's a little rich. If you want to see an example of a sporting industry that truly embraces egalitarian principles, try starting in that well-known socialist country, the United States of America.
Why do gamblers love to bet on football so much?
News, Published on 13/02/2023
» Billions of dollars will be wagered on the Super Bowl today, spotlighting the popularity of betting on football. A big part of the appeal is the scoring system, which was developed nearly 150 years ago by the "father of football," Walter Camp, and is unique among the globally popular team sports.
Thailand tourism needs a trust boost
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 06/02/2023
» The beginning of the Year of the Rabbit is a candle of hope for the tourist sector's revival. Thailand, however, does not appear to be off to a good start. The disgraceful saga of Thai police started at the end of last month when a Chinese tourist shared a video clip of four police officers offering her an unauthorised VVIP service on social media. She claimed to have been given the option of a speedy immigration check at the airport and a police escort to her hotel in Pattaya.
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.
Lessons from a World Cup win
News, Published on 02/01/2023
» Much has been written, and even more has been said, about Argentina's impressive triumph in this year's World Cup tournament. Most of the media coverage, of course, has revolved around the Argentinian team's tactics and performance, the wild celebrations that followed the country's first world title win since 1986, and the potential political impact, given that the team's victory took place in an election year.
Oligarchical market control isn't healthy
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 02/12/2022
» On the face of it, the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to be saying the right things about sustainable and inclusive growth. The prime minister himself has been touting a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model for Thailand, pitching it as the overarching theme of the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting. Yet, the political economy hidden underneath Gen Prayut's lofty rhetoric is becoming more short-term and exclusive, allowing wealth to be concentrated in fewer hands, giving a handful of conglomerates oligarchical control over the market.
Get tough on footy betting
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/11/2022
» As the World Cup 2022 kicked off in an air-conditioned Qatar stadium on Sunday, so did football betting across Thailand -- which, despite being illegal, has unfortunately become a part of the country's football culture.
World Cup overreach
Oped, Editorial, Published on 19/11/2022
» Millions of local football fans are sighing with relief as it appears that the private sector will chip in 800 million baht to co-finance the broadcasting of the Fifa World Cup 2022.
An ugly side to the beautiful game
News, Published on 15/11/2022
» When the World Cup kicks off next weekend, a Western sense of fair play will be outraged that a country without any native tradition in the game has won the right to host the tournament through financial muscle. Insult is added to injury too -- due to Qatar's extreme temperatures, the World Cup isn't being staged during the usual summer break but in November, disrupting domestic soccer competitions in the northern hemisphere for six weeks. Fans and players just have to lump it.