Showing 1 - 10 of 129
Keeping in step with ballroom moves
Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/11/2025
» The most entertaining news of the week was the response to President Donald Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House so he can build a "big, beautiful ballroom". It is probably fair to say it prompted a "mixed reaction" -- many being totally horrified.
An intriguing case of daylight robbery
Published on 26/10/2025
» You can't beat a good old fashioned diamond heist to make media headlines around the world. Even better when it involves an iconic institution like the Louvre museum in Paris home of the much loved Mona Lisa.
Climate hysteria in the media has really got to stop
News, Bjorn Lomborg, Published on 14/10/2025
» Reading the news, you would believe that the Great Barrier Reef -- the aquatic wonder off Australia's coast -- is on its deathbed, bleached beyond recognition by climate change. Recent headlines shouted in unison: "Great Barrier Reef suffers worst coral decline on record." Environmental journalists are in panic mode about irreversible damage. This is advocacy campaigning, not impartial reporting.
A Nobel Prize for band-aid peace deals?
Oped, Published on 05/09/2025
» The Bangkok Post editors suggested I revisit the topic of Thailand's border conflict since I had written about it for the newspaper earlier this year, and since the conflict was heating up again.
In Isan it's all just a matter of taste
Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/08/2025
» There has been too much depressing news lately so let's lighten things up a bit. There was an article in the Post a few weeks ago concerning a shop in Khon Khaen that is serving ice cream heavily topped with grilled chicken. I haven't tried it and to be frank have no intention of doing so, but by all accounts it is going down very well amongst people in Isan.
Strange choices of pets in Thailand
Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/08/2025
» There was a report in last Monday's Post that lions are becoming popular pets in Thailand. It is believed there are about 500 captive lions mainly in Thailand's zoos, breeding farms and petting cafes, but more disturbingly, some in private homes. It doesn't need spelling out why this is not a good idea.
Monastic discipline in the digital age
Oped, Published on 23/07/2025
» At a time when Thai society is reeling from scandals in the monastic community -- from leaked audio clips of money transfers via apps to secret relationships with women -- we are not merely shocked that "monks have done wrong", but rather at how swiftly the "image of purity" we've long upheld has collapsed.
Defusing Thai-Cambodian border row
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/06/2025
» At issue in the ongoing border standoff between the Thai and Cambodian armed forces is timing and circumstance. In less than two weeks, a seemingly minor border skirmish intensified into a full-scale military confrontation. What is being overlooked in the thick of mutual antagonism and ultranationalism on both sides is when and how the current round of confrontation transpired. Getting its origins right is crucial to finding ways and means for conflict resolution.
Singers who inspire the plant kingdom
Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/03/2025
» In last week's item about Thailand's talented Blackpink singer Lisa I failed to mention that Chiang Mai University researchers have named a newly discovered flower after her. It is of the custard apple variety and scientifically named Friesodielsia lalisae.
Musk’s lost boys and Trump’s mean girls
News, Published on 12/02/2025
» Tom Stoppard wrote in The Real Thing, his enticing play about infidelity: “To marry one actress is unfortunate. To marry two is simply asking for it.”