And thus any but a politically centred approach is bound to fail in ending this scourge from our neighbour. International anti-drug officials are supposed to step down if they cannot persuade governments to cooperate with the global effort to eliminate the trade in the illicit substances. But many countries take no responsibility in suppressing this trade within their own borders, much less extend a helping hand in international interdiction.

THAI TALK: Two-in-one Thaksin: PM and Shin Corp man

The fun and torment, nay, the excitement and disillusionment of being a Thai citizen these days is that you are never quite sure whether it’s the country’s premier who is speaking to you – or the richest businessman in the country trying to justify his mysterious role in the goings on of his family business. The Shin-Temasek deal was a classic example of this dilemma. Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister, first said he knew nothing about the deal. It was his children’s decision to sell off the entire family’s stake in Shin Corp.

‘Moderate’ Canada goes to the right, slightly

It’s not often that Canada makes international news, so it’s a sign of how contentious politics has become in the country that Monday’s federal election was watched so closely around the world. But while the Canadian media may have referred to the election as “Decision 2006”, the results were far from decisive.