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Martial law an interlude in Thailand crisis – Manthorpe

Amid the tension and turmoil in Thailand this week, only one thing is  certain — the military would not have intervened without the approval of ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, writes International Affairs analyst Jonathan Manthorpe. An excerpt of his new column: A day after declaring martial law, the first attempt by Thailand’s army to mediate an end to the country’s eight years of political turmoil ended inconclusively, with both major factions refusing to end their street protests. Hours after launching what has been called “a half coup,” Army Chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha today chaired a meeting with representatives of the governing Pheu Thai Party,

A whale for the taking

Anybody want a dead whale? After a rough winter in the waters around Newfoundland on Canada’s east coast a number of dead whales, including a number of endangered North Atlantic blue whales, washed up on the beaches of many small fishing villages. The question became how to dispose of a 100 tonne, 25 metre, rotting carcases that threatened the health of the people in the communities and dampened the pending tourist season. One town went as far as to offer it up on eBay. Its a story of something no one was going to touch …until someone wanted it. Then

The water is rising

Research showing that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is breaking up lends an hallucinatory air to our political and business discourses, writes Natural Security columnist Chris Wood. We carry on as though the historical world will last forever, as if our biggest problem is which superpower or hedge fund will prevail — while our world is slipping into the sea. An excerpt of Wood’s new column, The point of no return (subscription): If there were before some footing left for doubt, narrow and slippery though it might have been, there is none left now. The world as it has been for the entirety

Thailand in Turmoil — Manthorpe

Thailand is once again roiled by political turmoil, with a rural-urban split. Will there be civil war? Can the country’s aging King Bhumibol Adulyadej hang on? What will come of its democracy when Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, “seen as a vindictive man with thuggish instincts,” takes over? International Affairs analyst Jonathan Manthorpe explains why military intervention – now being widely discussed – is no simple matter. Excerpt of Manthorpe’s new column: Thailand’s military leaders are clear that they don’t want to launch another coup, but the growing intensity of the political chaos may give them little choice. Last week’s ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck

Interviews for The World’s Toughest Job

Interviews were held for the World’s Toughest Job. The requirements: Standing up almost always Constant attendance on an associate Constant exertion Work hours: 135+  per week Degrees in medicine, finance and culinary arts necessary No holidays Increased duties on traditional holidays No time to sleep Salary = $0 Watch the recorded reactions of the applicants here. Really, do. Further reading:24 People Who Applied for the World’s Toughest Job Were In for Quite a Surprise

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