The average intelligence quotient (IQ) level of Thai children has declined due to less attention to children's brain development, local press reported on Tuesday.

The average IQ of Thai children has dropped from 92 in 1996 to 89 in 2002, revealed a recent research by the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children under the Public Health Ministry.

An average child should have an IQ between 90 to 110.

Research director Chanpen Choprapawon believed less attention to children's brain development was the main reason behind the decline.

"We've only had policies that focus on education, not on child development," Chanpen was quoted by Bangkok Post as saying.

She said the brain development should begin when babies were still in wombs.

She noted that it's quite important to develop children's brainin the early years, for the expansion of children's brains ended once they reached the age of 6.

Mental stimulation such as story telling, talking and playing with kids was critical to the development of children's brain.

But the research found that more and more Thai parents were toobusy earning a living to spend time with their children and many toddlers were left alone before TV set.

The research result was based on a study of some 4,200 familiesin Bangkok and selected provinces around the country in the past 24 years.

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