Showing 1 - 10 of 306
Telling fortunes 'a nice little earner'
Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/05/2024
» A recent Thai news story concerned a man nabbed in an online fortune-telling scam. He would inform customers suffering from misfortune that their situation would dramatically improve if for a small fee he made a few prayers on his "direct line" to the deities in heaven.
Delicate art of being nasty and nice
Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/03/2024
» One word we have been subjected to almost on a daily basis recently is "diplomacy" as politicians grapple with the world's woes without much success. A dictionary definition of diplomacy is "tact or skill in dealing with people". Unfortunately it is more complex than that as the world is in such a mess. Perhaps Ambrose Bierce was nearer the mark in his Devil's Dictionary when he described diplomacy as "the patriotic art of lying for one's country".
Japan ranks 'number four' as fortunes wane
Oped, Published on 07/03/2024
» Harvard Professor Ezra Vogel's 1979 book, Japan as Number One: Lessons for America, became an instant bestseller in Japan. The flattering title certainly helped sales, but it was the book's central argument -- that the Japanese approach to governance and business were superior to others -- that really made a splash.
A tale of nickel and copper
News, David Fickling, Published on 23/02/2024
» The world's biggest miner, BHP Group Ltd, grew powerful by building dominant positions in producing the minerals of the future. That makes the challenges it's facing with two key clean-tech ingredients a sobering lesson for the energy transition.
Deep roots to land row
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/02/2024
» The dispute concerning approximately 2,900 rai of forest land within Khao Yai National Park involving the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation and the Nakhon Ratchasima Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro), highlights concerns regarding a land reform policy aimed at upgrading Sor Por Kor land -- formerly non-transferrable plots allocated to impoverished farmers -- into title deeds.
Beauty queen shows old habits die hard
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 10/02/2024
» It did not end well for Karolina Shiino, the young woman who won the title of Miss Japan two weeks ago.
Who will benefit?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/12/2023
» Re: "Farmers given new title deeds option", (BP, Dec 22).
When people browsed in bookshops
Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/12/2023
» Earlier this week I watched the 1987 film 84 Charing Cross Road. The reason for my interest was that the road has always been my favourite London thoroughfare. The film, which I won't go into, is about a long-distance literary friendship between characters played by Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins.
A 4-win solution to the handout plan
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 30/11/2023
» There could be a four-win solution to the 10,000-baht cash handout scheme.
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.