Susilo’s broadcasting regulations would turn back the clock on his efforts towards a freer society. Since the election of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2004, the region has been looking up to him as a democratic leader who will lead his country and Asean towards a more open society as a whole. His leadership and governance in many regional and international venues nurtured that goodwill.

SIDELINES: PM’s claims to patriotism now look as flimsy as a negligee

When family members of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sealed a mega-billion-baht stock deal with Temasek Holdings of Singapore, making them Bt73.3 billion richer in cash, the transaction also exposed the true colours of a man with conflicting personalities. The deal to sell the controlling interest in Shin Corp to the investment arm of the Singaporean government also enabled his admirers and critics alike to focus on many of Thaksin’s dubious personality traits, particularly when he was forced to respond to questions related to the suspect aspects of the transaction.

SUNDAY BRUNCH: The science of healing

Prince Mahidol award winner Professor Eugene Goldwasser remains modest about his discovery, which changed people’s lives. Success and recognition often take many years of hard work, and American scientist Professor Eugene Goldwasser would be excused for thinking it might never come at all after 62 years. But it did, and last Thursday he flew half-way round the world to receive his acknowledgement.

WATCHDOG: Bangkok could benefit from Hong Kong transit model

Denis de Baecque, chairman of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce’s committee on infrastructure, transport, energy and construction, told me the other day that Thailand should consider adopting Hong Kong’s model for mass-transit development.