Organic synthesis may be considered as the core of chemical research and its services extend beyond the chemistry department into varied and wide-ranging interdisciplinary laboratories, serving the specific chemical needs of scientists in many fields. It is not surprising, therefore, that every chemistry department in Thailand is striving to establish this type of activity. However, for a developing country, this is an undertaking of daunting proportions, due to the scarcity of qualified research chemists and the high cost of equipping a modern organic synthesis research laboratory. CRI is confronting this problem by establishing a laboratory, fully equipped with high performance instruments, to serve as a base from which research in organic synthesis may be strengthened and sustained. Although in the eyes of the layman the rewards may not be immediate, yet nourishing the roots of science has far-reaching, long-term benefits.