He works for Ferrier Hodgson, an Australian firm that specializes in restructuring the debt of profligate companies. It's easy to see why Norman wants someone to watch his back. His firm is wielding the hatchet in Thailand's biggest financial restructuring, the $3.7 billion debt workout of Thai Petrochemical Industries. In December, Norman replaced TPI's founder, Prachai Leophairatana, as acting chief executive. While Norman has not received any death threats, one can't be too careful. Two years ago, an Australian auditor was murdered while looking into creative accounting at a Thai sugar mill.