It might sound strange for a science minister to say his greatest achievement is importing a TV game show, but that is Pravich Ratanapian's proud claim.

To Pravich, who assumed his post on August 2 last year, Mega Clever is not the ordinary type of game show commonly seen on all TV channels, but one that links the scientific community to the general public.

"Science and technology should not be enjoyed only by scientists, researchers and those who are involved with and interested in science and technology. We should let all 62 million people enjoy science and technology together so that we can make Thailand a society with a scientific mindset," he says.

Mega Clever was imported from Germany by ModernNine TV at Pravich's initiative and partly sponsored by the National Science and Technology Development Centre.

The show surprised television viewers when it began airing in early March. Instead of making contestants answer nonsensical questions and pick prizes hidden behind sponsor logos, contestants in Mega Clever have to answer questions with a focus on science. The questions relate to daily life, such as, would running through heavy rain get you more wet than walking, or why do chickens have to bob their heads while walking.

The set of the show is made up to look like a fully equipped laboratory and is free from any sponsor logos and signs.

Viewers not only enjoy the quiz but gain a lot of scientific knowledge that helps them to think about things rationally rather than believe in superstition.

For Pravich, the increase in viewership from just 70,000-80,000 when the show was first launched to more than three million currently is vindication of his goal to bring science to the public at large.

The Mega Clever show isn't his only tactic to encourage dialogue between the scientific community and the general public. He is now trying to set up an online scientific community where people can post questions and get answers from scientists, researchers and others with relevant knowledge.

In one year of trying to make Thais think scientifically Pravich found that his biggest challenge was superstition, which has been a part of the Thai mindset for decades. Reports of jelly-like objects appearing mysteriously around the country a few months ago were a reminder that being the science minister is not an easy job.

He called a press conference to explain and demonstrate to the public that the worm-like blobs were not alien creatures but waterlogged fever-cooling sheets, but some Thais could not be swayed from their belief. Many people continued to sip the water in which the sheets were soaked in the belief that it would cure any strange disease.

"Changing the mindset or beliefs of the people cannot be done overnight, it takes time - years or decades. But we have to do it, and society will learn together with us," says Pravich, who has a doctorate in higher education science from Pennsylvania State University.

"As a public figure and the one in charge of science and technology, I have to tell the public that all things can be explained by science. And I want to show them that if I, someone who doesn't have a scientific background, can think scientifically, then why can't they," he says in response to the question why he did not let a scientist or researcher explain the jelly blobs at the press conference.

"Many people said it was too small a job for a minister, but for me as the science minister it was a most important job because I have to communicate science to the public."

As a layman in the scientific community, Pravich says he learns a lot from the many experts in the ministry who advise him in exploring the world of science and technology. From a politician with a background in education, Pravich says he is now armed with a scientific attitude.

Asked about fears of being duped by scientists, like the case of South Korean stem-cell researcher Hwang Woo-suk, Pravich smiles slightly before replying: "The science community can check and balance its members."

Pravich points out however that science and technology in Thailand is not yet as advanced as in South Korea. "One thing that stops me from getting too worried about being cheated is that our [science] community is not doing a lot of cutting-edge research. I think only breakthrough findings could become an issue," he says.

Pravich says he was happy rather than upset to learn that his Science and Technology Ministry is rated by politicians as a "Grade C" ministry, meaning that not many people wanted to be in charge of it.

"I am in a position to provide the answers that everyone needs to know. The defence and other ministries can do their jobs more smoothly and efficiently with science and technology."

Given the caretaker status of the government, Pravich is not certain how much longer he will be science and technology minister. But he will spend his remaining time on strengthening the relationship between the science community and the public and on making the political community realise the importance of the ministry.

His hope is that one day the science minister will be seen as a very important position that high-profile politicians will want to take.

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation