Thai experts warned of declining average intelligence quotient (IQ) of Thai children and called on more attention to improve IQ in upbringing.

The IQ level of Thai children aged 6-12 had dropped when the 1997 survey findings were compared with the 2002 figures, Bangkok post on Wednesday quoted experts as saying.

The figures showed that in 1997 the average IQ of Thai children was 96.5 in Bangkok, 92.3 in the central region, 87.9 in the northern part.

Five years later, the corresponding figures were 94.6 in Bangkok, 88.8 in the central region and 84.2 in the North.

About 65 percent of children aged between 13-18 years old exhibited regression in their learning development, said Doctor Nichara Ruangdarakanont from Ramathibodi Hospital.

They showed limited cognitive ability and the environment in which they were brought up was not conducive to learning development.

The setback in the children's IQ levels were blamed on their parents' income levels, professions and educational backgrounds.

Many children scored below the average IQ level because they were not sufficiently exposed to the environment that stimulated learning, said doctor Nittaya Kotchapakdi, director of the National Institute for Children and Family Development.

The experts therefore called on families to provide opportunities where children could engage in activities that would help contribute to their brain development, she said.

Source: Xinhua