Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Dear DOGE, it's high time to tear down those dams!
News, Tom Zoellner, Published on 12/07/2025
» No big government infrastructure project made an imprint on the landscape and economy of the West more than the US Bureau of Reclamation's 20th century dam-building spree, which peppered 490 dams across the country, created an agricultural civilisation dependent on federal hydrology civil engineering, and brought about a welter of environmental difficulties after drying up dozens of once-healthy rivers.
Even Warren Buffett makes statistical errors
News, Marty Fridson, Published on 24/05/2025
» One person you wouldn't expect to hear tout a statistical fallacy is Warren Buffett, but the legendary investor appeared to do just that at the recent Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, a reminder of just how easy it is to fall into statistical traps. While speaking at the annual meeting in early May, Mr Buffett commented while holding up a can of sugar-laden soda: "For 94 years I've been able to drink whatever I want to drink. They predict all kinds of terrible things for me, but it hasn't happened yet ... Charlie [Munger] and I never really exercised that much or did anything -- we were carefully preserving ourselves for these years."
Is Bangkok in danger of getting greener?
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/06/2022
» There is a decent-sized tree just over the wall at the back of my house in Bangkok which provides welcome shade. So I was a bit concerned the other day when workers from the local administration rolled up armed with a chainsaw, explaining the tree was threatening overhead electricity cables.
Tea for two and a sandwich at the Palace
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/06/2022
» There seems to be a consensus in Britain that the best moment of the Jubilee was Paddington Bear taking afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
PM hails US travel safety survey amid reopening
News, Post Reporters, Published on 01/05/2022
» Thailand ranked among the top 10 countries that American travellers saw as safe destinations in a survey taken last year.
Warning: It's blowing a hoolie out there
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/04/2022
» Part of the ceiling of our small carport was blown off by a freak gusting wind recently. No great drama but this minor incident served as a reminder of just how powerful the wind can be, even an insignificant "Bangkok gust". I am truly thankful not to have experienced tornadoes like those in the US which must be terrifying.
When protesters wore duffel coats
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/10/2020
» There seem to be daily protests going on around the world at the moment for multifarious reasons and it got me thinking about the first street demonstrations I witnessed first-hand in England as a teenager back in the Stone Age.
A sad reminder of an infamous battle
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/06/2020
» Like most expats I keep an eye open for any news from my hometown, which happens to be Reading in Berkshire. I surfaced last Sunday morning to find the lead item on the news was the awful murder of three Reading people relaxing in Forbury Gardens, a small park in the centre of town. When something horrible like that happens in a place you once regularly frequented, no matter how long ago, it prompts a most uncomfortable, empty feeling. My condolences to those who lost loved ones.
Property stays hot in chilly times
News, Ronald W Chan, Published on 28/01/2019
» Thailand's booming property market is at risk of cooling this year as rampant construction threatens an oversupply of apartments amid increasing global economic headwinds.
Time to get the sledgehammers out
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/05/2018
» Life is full of surprises, especially if you are living in Thailand, as a long-time English resident discovered recently. His work involves a lot of overseas travel and after one exhausting trip he was happy to get home to his Sukhumvit apartment and catch up on some much-needed sleep.