If what's written in our textbooks is inaccurate shouldn't it be changed?

Which hilltribe represents the greatest threat to the Kingdom of Thailand?

This was a secondary-school exam question, as recalled by a master's-degree holder.

He was hard working as a schoolboy and knew the answer according to the textbook. Simply writing it down would have scored him points.

But as a Karen he chose to leave the question unanswered.

"I felt I would have betrayed my people if I had answered it," recalls the 25-year-old. "What is written in textbooks and taught in Thai secondary schools about hilltribes is not accurate."

Back in my school years, I can't remember being asked this question in an exam. But I do remember studying that hilltribe people were the cause of deforestation, drug selling and smuggling.

As a student and a good learner, I had no doubt about what was printed in the textbooks. But years later I made direct contact with hilltribe people and after many close and personal chats with them, I saw the "right" and "wrong" facts written in our school textbooks.

It's unbelievable that we are taught they are the bad guys!