Jan. 28 Ph. 45028. He said that the educational program of Thailand was rather inflexible and their exams were fixed. He thought that interest in science was greater in Pakistan than here. Popular 'science' fields in Thailand are medicine, biology, and math. He urged us to see Dr. Kambhaeng Balangura, Secretary General of the National Education council. He is a biologist and a senior scientist who can comment on curriculum change in the country. Thais will work with their hands in contrast to certain other 'upper class' people. Bangkok can give a misleading impression as to the progress of the country; outlying districts are not nearly so well developed. The country as a whole is well off economically. There is export of food surpluses. The central plain is in good shape but the NE sector, which drains to E into the Mekong River p (which forms the border of Laos) is primitive. The people do have ties with those in the central plain but some Communist subversion is going on in the extreme NE. Although Bangkok is well developed there is no widespread development of manufacture of science equipment. The old story emerged of the best people being siphoned off from teaching into more lucrative positions. Money has been going into dams and other development projects. The Education Ministry hasn't done so well... There is a high level of literacy.