• OPINION

  Sunken 'ghost ship' could haunt Gulf fish

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/01/2022

  » The week began promisingly with the discovery of a mystery "ghost ship" drifting in the Gulf of Thailand with no crew, cargo or documents aboard -- not even any defiant rodents. First spotted by Chevron oil-rig workers, the dilapidated Fin Shui Yuan 2, appeared to be a freighter of Chinese origin. Unfortunately, the vessel sunk in rough seas off the Nakhon Sri Thammarat coast while being towed towards land by the Thai Navy.

• OPINION

  When it twigged Thailand was different

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/04/2022

  » For the third year running we have experienced muted Songkran celebrations, and I for one won't complain if it remains that way for a while. Of course there have been a few naughty tourists who have broken the water-throwing protocols, but maybe the heat got to them.

• OPINION

  Once upon a time at Windsor Castle

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/03/2021

  » Unless you are lucky enough to be in hibernation, it's been hard to escape the saga of Harry and Meghan and "The Interview" that has developed into a rather uncomfortable public soap opera.

• OPINION

  And the award goes to … not these films

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/03/2018

  » It's Oscar time again and as usual Hollywood is ignoring exciting Thai productions. Here are a few that caught the eye:

• OPINION

  Those elusive influential persons

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/10/2023

  » Most intriguing news of the week is that according to a parliamentary House committee there are only 180 "influential people" in the kingdom and in 10 provinces there are none at all. For those unfamiliar with the term "influential person" in Thailand, it is usually interpreted as someone who is powerful enough not to worry about the "long arm of the law" and can go about their sometimes shady business without fear of arrest.

• OPINION

  Those happy days of family albums

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/06/2023

  » For most of June I have been squirrelled away in Chaiyaphum and very pleasant it has been too. There has been a fair amount of rain which is good news for our rubber trees which were looking decidedly thirsty.

• OPINION

  Different strokes for different folks

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/05/2023

  » It was a bit alarming to learn the Eurovision Song Contest is still going strong, having celebrated its 67th year in Liverpool last weekend. The event had already looked the worse for wear back in the 1960s, but somehow it just won't go away. In fact it's got bigger and more brassy than ever -- an uninhibited celebration of kitsch.

• OPINION

  Well, at least 2023 shouldn't be boring

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/01/2023

  » We are only halfway through the first month of 2023 and on the local news front we have already been treated to enough controversies, allegations and head-scratching explanations to keep us going for the entire year. For comic relief there is even a hint of a sex scandal.

• OPINION

  A grim year rescued by Paddington Bear

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/12/2022

  » It is customary at this time of the year to take a not-too-serious look back at the events of the past 12 months. It is not that easy because it's been a pretty miserable year highlighted by the madness of the war in Ukraine.

• OPINION

  Come on baby, let's do the Twist

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/04/2022

  » The other day I heard on the radio Chubby Checker bursting forth with his 1960 hit 'The Twist'. It's not the greatest of songs but it sparked fond memories because it launched a dance craze which proved a social life-saver for me and many other shy teenagers.

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