Second, democracy in South-East Asia needs the kind of boost Mr Obama’s attentions will provide. Myanmar’s extraordinary democratic transition remains fragile. In Thailand politics has lurched backwards since Prayuth Chan-ocha’s coup of May 2014 suspended democracy. This irks America, Thailand’s chief ally. As the annual Cobra Gold military exercises, involving Thailand, America and 25 other countries, began this week, the American ambassador in Bangkok called for a return to elected government. Meanwhile, in Malaysia the money scandals and racial politics of the prime minister, Najib Razak, are undermining democratic institutions. A little lecturing by Mr Obama behind closed doors would not hurt.