Showing 1 - 10 of 1,106
A plaintive song for the taxman
Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/03/2026
» I've just got back from filing my income tax and must thank the staff at the branch of the Revenue Department for their helpfulness and efficiency. It must be a thankless job knowing that nearly everyone they deal with would probably rather be somewhere else.
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.
Ireland ready to lead EU amid global challenges
News, Patrick Bourne, Published on 17/03/2026
» In a world as fast-moving and unpredictable as the one we are navigating right now, it is good to know there are reliable lighthouses on the horizon and at least a few certainties upon which we can depend. One of those is that St Patrick's Day, every March 17, is an occasion that Irish people, and people of Irish heritage, and friends of Ireland, will be keen to celebrate all over the world, including here in Thailand. And for our small island, from which so many people emigrated throughout our history, this really is a global celebration of our history, culture, connections and shared values.
Echoes ignored
Oped, Postbag, Published on 13/03/2026
» Re: "With Iran war, US is alone", (World, March 6). The Deputy Director of the German Marshall Fund, Kristina Kausch, is upset that US President Donald Trump has not sought the world's approval in his quest to destroy Iran's military abilities and for the removal of its genocidal dictatorship. One which screams daily: "Death to Israel" and "Death to America". (Time Off, Bangkok Post, March 8).
No shield for tainted MP
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/03/2026
» As parliament is set to convene on Saturday, it is clear that Chonnaput Naksua, a Klatham MP for Songkhla, who is implicated in an online gambling and money-laundering network, will seek parliamentary immunity as he looks to take part in the session. His participation will be a crucial test for the legislative branch.
America risks grand folly in Iran war
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/03/2026
» It is just the first week of the joint attack between the United States and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran, but the repercussions from the Middle East for the Indo-Pacific are already discernible.
Recalling the 'the quick brown fox' era
Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/03/2026
» Every day of the year has its own niche in history and March 1 is no exception. On this day 152 years ago the first typewriters went on sale in the US. It was 1874 and the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, invented in Milwaukee, was proudly presented by Remington & Sons in New York.
Challenge awaits
Postbag, Published on 17/02/2026
» Re: "Anutin dismisses 'sick man of Asia' label for Thailand", (BP, Feb 15).
A fond farewell to the poster people
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/02/2026
» For a couple of months the streets in Bangkok and throughout Thailand have been decorated with posters of political candidates. But now the Big Day has arrived and soon the posters will disappear. In a strange sort of way, I will miss their presence as they were at least something to look at when stuck in the traffic. They generally appeared to be a cheerful lot, beaming at us with big cheesy grins as one would expect in the Land of Smiles.
Hedgehoppers in search of good news
Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/02/2026
» Being the very first day of February it would have been nice if there was some good news worth celebrating, but unfortunately nothing immediately springs to mind. Cheerful news is an increasingly rare commodity these days. It all seems to be gloom and doom and hardly portends a joyful 2026. It can get a bit wearying grappling with news reports featuring contradictions, cover-ups and cock-ups, often accompanied by half-truths, prevarications and porky pies. But this is the world we now live in.