• OPINION

  A rare occasion when 'dogs are allowed'

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/04/2023

  » Earlier this month an art museum in Athens opened its doors to dogs so the canine community could experience a quiet sniff around important works of art. This might seem rather trivial but when you consider that the "No Dogs Allowed" sign is one of the most familiar around the world the dogs need as much moral support as they can get. It must be a bit disheartening for hounds to be greeted everywhere by signs that they are not wanted… an odd way to treat man's best friend.

• OPINION

  One fishy tale of becoming a Mister

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/03/2023

  » I got into a tangle last week referring to the Italian immigrant restaurateur Caesar Cardini as Senor when of course it should have been Signore. Apologies to all. I should have known better than to start dabbling with foreign honourifics. I have enough problems dealing with Mr, Mrs and Ms.

• OPINION

  Can't beat question time in the 'bear pit'

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/02/2022

  » While normally steering well clear of British politics I admit to having enjoyed recent live TV sessions of the UK Parliament. The weekly Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) held on Wednesdays is far more entertaining than any soap opera. Witnessing the verbal jousting as the PM attempts to side-step a withering grilling is sheer theatre. It is almost like being the accused in the dock at a court hearing.

• OPINION

  As long as it's a bit better than last year

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/01/2022

  » It's that time of the year for columnists to suggest what could be in store for the next 12 months. However, things are so unpredictable at the moment even Nostradamus would struggle to come up with a half-decent forecast. Of course Thailand is not immune to the uncertainty although you wouldn't rule out occasional "misappropriation of funds" or to use the correct technical term, "cooking the books."

• OPINION

  Final curtain call for grand old station

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/12/2021

  » There is some debate concerning the fate of Bangkok's 105-year-old Hua Lamphong railway station which is scheduled to close at the end of the month. Hopefully a happy compromise can be reached with the station being preserved as a museum and its immediate area a public park. The State Railway of Thailand should also be given leeway to make itself some money, even if it means yet another mall.

• OPINION

  Familiar places gone but not forgotten

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/04/2021

  » Last week I was walking along upper Sukhumvit after an excursion to the somewhat inappropriately-named Trendy building on Soi 13. I decided to drop in on my long-time travel agent nearby who I hadn't seen for a while, just to say hello. The lady in charge has an appealing personality and always cheers me up.

• OPINION

  End of a sorry saga for mushroom pickers

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/05/2019

  » The best news of the week is that the mushroom-picking couple have been released from jail following a royal pardon by His Majesty the King. It is a most pleasant surprise and hopefully puts an end to a grim nine-year saga that reeked of social injustice from the very first time it surfaced back in 2010.

• OPINION

  You can't beat a good song in the gridlock

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/09/2018

  » Earlier this week a veteran taxi driver told me he was a great fan of Elvis Presley. He proceeded to sing Love Me Tender for most of the journey. He wasn't too bad either -- Elvis would have been proud. The crooner cabbie said singing took his mind off the horrors of Bangkok's traffic.

• OPINION

  Creatures great and small, bless them all

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/09/2018

  » At the end of this month Dusit Zoo, better known as Khao Din, is shutting its gates after 80 years. Its 1,300 residents are moving to temporary accommodation in six provincial zoos until their new home opens in Pathum Thani in another three years. Moving can be quite a traumatic experience for animals, and we wish them all well.

• OPINION

  A fond farewell to my little furry friend

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/12/2017

  » My dog Toby died last Sunday and I've been a bit down in the dumps this week. He was only a little fellow -- a Shih Tzu -- but had been a faithful companion for 14 years and brought me much happiness. Like anyone who has had a pet for that long, I'm going to miss him desperately.

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