Thailand's policy pragmatist

Nation's former commerce minister learned that prudence pays in finance

Few get excited as Narongchai Akrasanee about new e-mails coming in. As his smartphone buzzes across the coffee table, he politely asks: "Can I reply to a message quickly?"

His enthusiasm for this brief interruption is soon explained: "I've been invited to Peru to give a speech on Southeast Asia. How nice!" he says.