Showing 41 - 46 of 46
And now, a good hand for the losers
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/03/2013
» It seems only fair to pay tribute to the 24 candidates that didn't quite make it at last week's Big Mango election. Lest we forget, for months these people acted above and beyond the call of duty in the name of democracy, sweating their way around Bangkok's steamy streets, sporting those fixed grins so beloved by politicians.
Winning hearts and minds in the Big Mango
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/01/2013
» In the unlikely event you hadn't noticed, electioneering for a new Bangkok governor is with us again, always a time of festivity, buffoonery and unscheduled mirth. The candidates are as usual full of promises, but a little bit thin on the policy side. Indeed for the next month we are going to hear a lot more promises_ some silly, some daft and some utterly absurd. And be prepared for daily photos of grinning candidates clutching terrified babies, cooking noodles and kissing grandmas.
Grim White House in-tray
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/11/2012
» When Barack Obama won the US presidential election four years ago, the BBC commented that when he took over from George W Bush _ a few months later he would be inheriting ''the in-tray from Hell''. It wasn't far off the mark. Certainly things haven't been a barrel of laughs for Mr President. But he can't complain: After all, he wanted the job.
Writing on the wall
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/04/2012
» Not far from my house in Bangkok is a large telephone junction box on which someone has recently sprayed in large black letters "Jon Smith Was Here!". Not the most original form of graffiti , but at least it was spelt correctly. It would have perhaps been more intriguing if it said "Lady Gaga Was Here" or maybe had a bit of local colour like "Thaksin Was Here".
That's one way to liven up parliament
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/03/2012
» There has been some discussion recently concerning sobriety, or rather the alleged lack of it, in the Thai parliament. It was even suggested that MPs should line up to take a breathalyser test before they can enter the hallowed talking shop. What a splendid sight that would be. Mind you, if they had such a test in the British parliament they would never get a quorum.
It could all be pretty amazing again
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/01/2012
» I trust everyone is holding up well at the height of the funny hats and hangovers season. In a few days it will be back to grim reality _ hangovers without the hats. And I won't complain if I don't hear that ''happy new mia'' Thai joke for a while.