THAI BRAND BUILDERS: The Tourism Authority, armed with a US$1.4 billion budget, looks to be joining forces with Thai Airways to make the country's brand stronger than it has ever been. David Johnson r

When Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire businessmen-turned-prime minister, declared himself the CEO of Thailand, no one really knew quite what to expect. But, in the 15 months he has been in power, the self-styled chief executive has set business goals and created a vision, in a clearer way than any other prime minister has done in the past.