Showing 1 - 10 of 13
The dictionaries have a word for it
Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/11/2023
» It's that much-anticipated time when dictionary publishers come out with their "words of the year". In recent times such words have become increasingly depressing. You may recall last year Collins Dictionary went for "permacrisis" which has turned out to be uncomfortably accurate in light of world events over the ensuing 12 months.
A century of sawing people in half
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/01/2021
» The most important news of the week is that magicians are today celebrating the 100th anniversary of a woman being sawn in half on stage. We could all probably do with a bit of magic in our lives at the moment, so let's wave the wand with a quick "abracadabra" and take a magical mystery tour.
A sad reminder of an infamous battle
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/06/2020
» Like most expats I keep an eye open for any news from my hometown, which happens to be Reading in Berkshire. I surfaced last Sunday morning to find the lead item on the news was the awful murder of three Reading people relaxing in Forbury Gardens, a small park in the centre of town. When something horrible like that happens in a place you once regularly frequented, no matter how long ago, it prompts a most uncomfortable, empty feeling. My condolences to those who lost loved ones.
2019 more a celebration of 1969
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/12/2019
» It is customary at this time of the year to take a look at some of the major happenings of the past 12 months. This past year has been rather unusual in that it marked a host of significant 50th anniversaries. In fact the year was almost as much about 1969 as 2019. So to kick things off, let's just recall a few of those events 50 years ago.
From Abbey Road to Sukhumvit Road
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/09/2019
» There seems to have been a never-ending stream of 50th anniversaries this year, all of which have contributed to me feeling increasingly wrinkly.
In the Land of the Midnight Sun
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/08/2019
» Living in the tropics probably explains why I tend to enjoy reading books and watching films set in places where really cold weather prevails. It must be that perverse, but comforting, feeling that once you step outside the cinema or put down the book you are immediately back in the more friendly temperatures of the tropics again.
Reading habits that come to a dead end
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/04/2018
» The other evening, I had just finished the crime thriller <i>Time of Death</i> by Mark Billingham and put it in my bookcase where it nestled next to Stephen Leather's <i>Dead Men</i>.
Great escapes … and some not so great
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/09/2017
» Recent events have got me thinking about some of the great escapes that have occurred in Thailand over the years, although I think the latest episode is the first time someone like political philosopher Montesquieu has found himself in the thick of things.
There must be something about Hawaii
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/10/2016
» The most reassuring news of the week was that the leader of a much-discussed Thai delegation to the US-Asean conference in Hawaii only ate noodles and rice aboard the chartered aircraft.
The case of the elephant and the castle
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/09/2016
» After last week's column on unusual pub names, a Thai reader asked about the origins of the Elephant and Castle pub which eventually spawned a major area by that name in South London.