This research analyzes the impact of the Thai government's activities to promote educational opportunities for people of the northern hill tribes. In addition to interviews with government and nongovernmental organization staff, field surveys were conducted in hill tribe villages. The introductory chapter provides background information on the hill tribes, which are Thailand's most disadvantaged ethnic minorities. Chapter 2 describes government policies and support programs for hill tribes related to education, including highland community learning centers for basic skills and lifelong learning, distance education efforts, agricultural extension education, development and welfare services, and international and nongovernmental organization support programs. Chapter 3 examines implementation of these policies and programs. Chapter 4 defines the prospects for highland development, placing particular emphasis on the potential of education to improve the livelihood of highland communities. Recommendations include including hill tribe communities in planning and implementing support activities; developing curriculum to correspond to community needs; building the capacity of those engaged in field-level implementation of support activities; increasing collaboration among governmental and nongovernmental organizations and international development agencies; emphasizing integrated approaches to highland development; giving higher prominence to quality of life issues such as education and health care; and harmonizing modern knowledge and technologies with local wisdom and practices in efforts to improve agricultural production, employment, and income generation. Ten appendices present 47 references, a map, a list of interviewees, and information on government agencies' programs. (TD)