"Now, those stores of exosomatics are getting to the stage of being in tight supply (especially with China and India wanting a share of them in order to get some of that 'specialist' element by industrialising before it is too late)."

Tight supply or higher demand due to the likes of "Chindia"

Off topic but I think China's policy's in Africa are amazing with the old colonial power now on a shakey footing. I have no doubt the Chinese will exploit their position but will Africa benefit more than they would have dealing with others?

As for Martin Wheeler - as far as getting involved in Thai politics by supporting one party or another he is doing the right thing be not getting involved - he would be damned if he did and it could back t haunt him.

He is making political points by his avocationg lifestyle choices but better to do in in a non-partisan way.

It is interesting, though, that the national press picked up on Martin Wheeler

most probably the local polical figure was from the opposition or at least was in conflict with the mass media for some reason. Picking on Martin, some nobody in thai politics and only important in a social life in his own village, was a way of kicking the candidate down. Mass media made Martin a celebrity - hardly for any reason. The story is a no news.