Part of a series which provides overviews of social science research and teaching in UNESCO member nations, the document focuses on Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand. One chapter is devoted to each of the five nations. Chapter I discusses social science teaching at major universities in Bangladesh and recommends that research concentrate on Bangladesh culture rather than western thought. Chapter II focuses on Iran. Educational problems center on difficulties in coping with the vast influx of students to higher education since 1960; research needs which are particularly strong in areas of cooperative Asian studies of new social classes; and the effects of industrialization. Chapter III, on Malaysia, cites recent origin of the social science disciplines and low demand for science research as major reasons for slow development of the social sciences. The fourth chapter on Pakistan characterizes social science teaching as adequate but notes that research is relatively undeveloped due to political upheaval, lack of professional associations, and a tendency of social science graduates to seek jobs in other fields. The final chapter describes social science in Thailand as being closely linked with government-sponsored legal and administration institutes. Higher educational training is professionally oriented and research in national planning and development is limited. (Author/DB)