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This International Dateline episode includes three segments: Thaksin's Thailand, Ricardo Lagos Interview and The Sherpas' Burden.

Thaksin's Thailand 
Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is the most powerful politician his country has ever seen. Earlier this year, he was re-elected with a massive parliamentary majority. Thaksin has always had a unique style. He's a self-made billionaire who says he wants to run Thailand like a company, casting himself as a firm and decisive CEO. Dateline's Bangkok-based Ginny Stein has been following the fortunes of this intriguing regional player.  

Ricardo Lagos Interview

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos is a rare beast - a socialist who's survived and prospered in a post Cold War world that's been moving inexorably to the ideological right. Seen as a natural heir to the violently overthrown president Salvador Allende, Ricardo Lagos took on Chile's notorious General Augusto Pinochet back in the late '80s, publicly criticizing the military strongman for what he called Chile's "years of torture, murder and human rights violations." After Lagos won power in 2000, elated crowds took to the streets chanting for political revenge - court action against the aging Pinochet. But, with the former dictator 89 and unwell, this dark episode in Chile's history is yet to be closed. Dateline's George Negus recently caught up with President Lagos during a brief state visit in Australia.
 
The Sherpas' Burden

Reporter and aspiring mountain climber Jen Peedom provides an in-depth report on the Himalayas forgotten heroes - the Sherpas. Ms.Peedom spent weeks on Mount Everest capturing a unique glimpse of the essential role that Sherpas play in helping foreign climbers to make it to the top of the world.

About International Dateline 

SBS Dateline, which began in 1984, is Australia's longest-running international current affairs program. It has a well-earned reputation for authoritative and incisive reporting. Dateline has taken the traditional way of producing TV current affairs and turned it on its head. Reporters who used to travel with a cameraperson and sound recordist now travel alone and have the responsibility of both filming and reporting their stories. The reporters became video-journalists, gaining access to people and places that the conventional camera crews cannot.