Showing 1 - 10 of 52
A missing item in the rural soundtrack
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/01/2026
» As usual at this time of the year I have been enjoying life in the Northeastern province of Chaiyaphum for several weeks. However on this visit there was something slightly different which I couldn't immediately put my finger on. It took a few days before realising I was not being woken up by the usual early morning chorus of roosters or chickens of any sort.
Greenland enjoys a taste of Thailand
Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/01/2026
» We are only 11 days into 2026 and I am already worn out trying to keep up with what's going on in this crazy old world. In addition to Venezuela, countries which must be a wee bit nervous about what lies in store include Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran and Greenland. However, we will leave the heavy news to the experts.
Scams hurt govt's image
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/10/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's cabinet, which was initially warmly welcomed by the public, is now facing serious confidence issues after two ministers -- Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong and Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow -- were named in news reports about Cambodia's scam syndicates and money laundering in Southeast Asia.
Serious on cybercrime
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/10/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has made the correct, but long overdue, move in forming the National Committee for the Prevention and Suppression of Technology-Related Crimes.
Crime still thriving
News, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2025
» The government's self-congratulation over Thailand retaining its Tier 2 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is misplaced. Remaining at Tier 2 -- for the fourth consecutive year -- is not an achievement. It's an alarm bell signalling that the country is standing still while crime spreads beneath its feet.
Fraud sweep causes fallout
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2025
» In principle, any government deserves praise for efforts to tackle online fraud and mule accounts. However, the latest attempt by the Bank of Thailand (BoT), the cyber police under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the police, and commercial banks has drawn condemnation, rather than praise.
Trump's deals are weakening the rule of law
News, Richard K Sherwin, Published on 09/08/2025
» European Union trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic described the recent US-EU trade agreement in unvarnished terms. Agreeing to a 15% tariff on most exports to the United States and promising to purchase $750 billion (24 trillion baht) worth of American energy over three years and to invest another $600 billion in the US (not including an unspecified amount in additional orders of US-made military hardware) was "clearly the best deal we could get."
Trump hurting global trade in ideas
Oped, Sally Tyler, Published on 04/08/2025
» Much attention has been focused on Thailand's scramble to achieve a bilateral trade agreement with the United States to avoid a 36% tariff on all exported goods. Yet a different restrictive trade policy has received comparatively less scrutiny -- the Trump administration's clampdown on American universities, including a possible ban on the enrolment of international students.
Refugees in policy limbo
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/07/2025
» Time is running out. In less than two weeks, over 80,000 refugees on the Thai–Myanmar border will be left without food, health care, or protection. With US aid permanently cut, Thailand can no longer look away. The government must act before this humanitarian crisis spins out of control.
Taking a journey into the unknown
Roger Crutchley, Published on 13/07/2025
» According to newspaper reports Bulgaria will next year become the 21st country to adopt the euro. Admittedly it's hardly earth-shattering news and is possibly the first time Bulgaria has ever been mentioned in PostScript, let alone its currency, the "lev". But it reinforces my feeling that the European Union and the euro is partly responsible for taking the fun and romance out of travel.