• OPINION

  French learn about their Aussie 'mates'

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/09/2021

  » It is encouraging to learn that it is not just Thailand that gets into deep water involving contracts over submarines. France is most upset with Australia for pulling the plug on a nuclear submarine deal, resulting in various shades of not-so-diplomatic name-calling. Standing out was the rather poignant observation from the recalled French ambassador to Australia that "what makes me sad is that we thought we were mates but we were stabbed in the back".

• 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

  Reaching the finish line in Rio's Games

  Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/08/2016

  » Because of the 10-hour time difference, it's been quite gruelling following that sporting event down in the land where "coffee beans grow by the billions" -- I still can't get that song out of my head. I can safely claim to have dozed off while watching swimming, boxing, badminton, golf (sorry Ariya) and missing far too many gold medal performances.

• OPINION

  Another year to remember, or maybe forget

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/12/2014

  » Well, we've just about scraped through another 12 months, although at times things did look a bit on the shaky side. At least all the whistle-blowing has abated. Here are a few reminders of events and characters that graced the year 2014, although some you may prefer to forget.

• OPINION

  Taking a dip in Hua Hin a long time ago

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/04/2024

  » It is not often I can remember what I was doing five days ago let alone 55 years, but a moth-eaten diary confirms that on April 14, 1969 I was in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin. A brief explanation is necessary.

• OPINION

  Sharing good times and hard times

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/08/2023

  » Earlier this week the Bangkok Post marked its 77th anniversary which is quite an achievement really considering what the country has experienced since the newspaper was established in 1946. Any paper that has displayed such longevity, surviving countless coups and assorted other upheavals deserves a nod of acknowledgement.

• OPINION

  Tasty UK 'masterpiece' takes the biscuit

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/03/2022

  » Despite last week's cautionary column about special supermarket offers which are often not so special, it will come as no surprise that a couple of days ago I succumbed to a "special offer".

• OPINION

  Lazing on a stormy Sunday afternoon

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/06/2019

  » Every now and again, I escape to the Northeast (Isan), more specifically the northernmost part of Chaiyaphum province, to relax, unwind, mellow out, chill out and hopefully not freak out. It is always a rewarding experience to shake off the madness of the Big Mango for a few days and settle into a pace of life that drifts between slow, very slow and practically dormant. That's something I can handle quite comfortably. In some ways it must resemble being transferred to an inactive post.

• OPINION

  Just grin and look stupid and you'll be OK

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/04/2017

  » When I was first in Thailand I used to think Songkran was great fun. Throwing water and getting soaking wet seemed a very sensible diversion from the overwhelming April heat. I was even a little disappointed if I didn't get a good drenching from grinning urchins. Everyone seemed so happy. It was definitely sanook.

• OPINION

  A year most of us would rather forget

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/12/2016

  » It is customary at this stage of the year to review events of the past 12 months, but this has been no ordinary year for Thailand. It has been a very sad time with the loss of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which plunged the entire kingdom into a state of mourning.

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