• OPINION

  Welcome to the really silly season

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/12/2023

  » It's Christmas Eve and we are well into the Jinger Ben season in Thailand (Jingle Bells to the uninitiated). But in these dodgy times one suspects there might not be too much jingling going on. Nonetheless, considering all the gloomy news of late, a couple of weeks of being a bit daft offers a welcome break. So we might as well make the most of the Jinger Ben jollity, like a lady teller at my bank who was sporting some rather cute rabbit ears.

• OPINION

  A medley of moonlight, stars and pines

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/09/2023

  » The answer to a crossword clue I recently tackled was "Vermont" which immediately triggered memories of the beautiful 1950's song Moonlight in Vermont. When I first heard the tune as a kid it created such an alluring image of moon rays amid sycamore trees I dug out the atlas to find out where Vermont was actually located. It even looked nice on the map, tucked up in the right-hand corner of the US.

• OPINION

  Brits can still put on a good show

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/05/2023

  » Considering how depressing the world news has been lately, the coronation of King Charles III last weekend provided a brief diversion. It might not be everybody's cup of tea but the Brits certainly know how to put on a show if a bit of history is involved. They're good at pomp and pageantry and most importantly love a parade with plenty of horses.

• OPINION

  The Stones just keep rolling along

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/07/2022

  » This past week marked the 60th anniversary of the Rolling Stones' first-ever gig which took place at the Marquee club in London. That makes me feel even more wrinkly than usual.

• OPINION

  Foreign noses always good for a laugh

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/12/2021

  » Today's column is coming from the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum to where I periodically escape for a break from Bangkok. There was a quick reminder that I was no longer in the Big Mango while sitting in a village restaurant with my wife and friends. A Thai lad about 5 years old came up to our table and stared at me for a bit and giggled. I might add this is not an unusual reaction to Crutch in the provinces.

• OPINION

  The most dignified drummer in rock 'n roll

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/08/2021

  » We sadly lost two legendary musicians last week with the passing of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (80) and singer Don Everly (84).

• OPINION

  Home alone … a case of bad timing

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/07/2021

  » The emotional events at Wembley Stadium last Sunday inevitably stirred personal memories of a similar happening with a different outcome 55 years previously in the summer of 1966.

• OPINION

  Cornish pasty has its moment in the sun

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/06/2021

  » The most important outcome of last week's G7 summit in Cornwall was undoubtedly the appearance of tempting new versions of the traditional Cornish pasty. One bakery came up with a large pasty called "Biden's big-un", while also on offer were "Merkel's minted lamb'', "Macron's mixed veg", and the cheese-filled "Boris' Stilton".

• 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

  Wagglers, winkers and grasshoppers

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/09/2020

  » A half-hearted spring-cleaning session at home during the week came to a welcome halt when I unearthed a long-lost copy of Have Fun With Thai Proverbs collecting dust under a pile of disintegrating paperbacks. Written by Dr Duangtip Somnapan Surintatip, the book is a reminder that there is a common thread to proverbs around the world. As the title suggests, it can be fun putting long-standing expressions into a Thai context.

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