Showing 1 - 10 of 15
History comes alive in those pub names
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/06/2023
» The news has been so dull this week we might as well continue to pursue last week's investigations concerning the historical value of English pub names. If nothing else it may prompt readers to recall some of the more exotic inns where they have supped ale. It beats politics anyway.
New UN climate report clutching at straws
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 27/03/2023
» The final report of the United Nation's climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has come out at last. The desperate optimism that characterised the last few volumes (this is part four of four) has frayed away to almost nothing.
Cultural looting still a persistent crisis in SE Asia
News, Published on 14/11/2022
» The Nepalese conservationist Rabindra Puri, directing his own construction of a new Museum of Stolen Art in eastern Kathmandu speaks passionately about how he will feature replicas of stolen Nepalese antiquities, the originals having long ago been shipped overseas and since displayed in tourist attractions, art museums, or private residences, like hunting trophies.
In Britain it helps to be a little eccentric
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/01/2022
» Last week's column concerning traditional British food unfortunately failed to mention one of the highlights of the year, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, held every September in Ramsbottom, near Manchester. It dates back to the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose).
'King of fruits' is nothing to sniff at
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 13/06/2021
» Most people who have a functioning hooter will be well aware we are in the middle of the durian season. I got a timely reminder when my wife returned triumphantly from a day trip to the orchards of Nakhon Nayok last weekend laden with what is called the "king of fruits''. It is also the smelliest of fruits, prompting a brisk trade in T-shirts bearing the message "tastes like heaven and smells like hell".
The magical world of far away places
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/04/2021
» Earlier this week I was chatting with friends about which places around the globe captured their imagination most when they were kids. One was fascinated by Mandalay, while another said Pondicherry caught his eye. Zanzibar was another name that cropped up.
An 'old man in a chair' pulling rabbits from his bag of 'truths'
News, Published on 27/06/2020
» An old man in a chair sits, legs crossed, next to a dark-wood bookcase stocked with hardbacks. He speaks of "the truth" about coronavirus and repeats many of the conspiracy theories we've heard elsewhere, but he does so calmly, reading from prepared notes, peering over half-moon spectacles.
Police bust house party in Phuket
News, Achadthaya Chuenniran, Published on 03/04/2020
» PHUKET: Police have arrested nine foreigners and five Thai women for partying, a violation of an order against gathering in crowds to control the spread of Covid-19, Patong police chief Pol Col Akanit Danpitaksat, said yesterday.
Immigration woes
News, Postbag, Published on 30/03/2020
» Re: "End tourist paper chase", (Editorial, March 28).
Soap song 'theft' claims get airing, Sia Po keen to settle scores
News, Mae Moo, Published on 19/05/2019
» The singer at the centre of a copyright mixup which resulted in the leading song for two rival soaps which went to air the same day sounding almost the same denies he benefited personally from the dispute.