News

A new global assessment shows why travel remains a major engine of prosperity. In 2024, the United States and China lead the world’s largest tourism economies. The U.S. tourism sector generated about $2.36 trillion, while China reached around $1.3 trillion. The findings, based on WTTC data and independent visual analyses, highlight how domestic demand, infrastructure, and policy choices shape national fortunes.

Tourism is not just about beaches and landmarks. It sustains jobs, funds infrastructure, and deepens international exchange. For Thailand, a country with a long history of growth driven by travel, the report underscores the need for strategic planning and adaptation to shifting regional dynamics as the recovery continues.

A year after its launch, Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has drawn more than 35,000 applicants and is reshaping Bangkok and beyond. Officials frame the program as a strategic move to stabilize growth, with remote-work tourism energizing coworking spaces, wellness venues, and local businesses. As the country pursues post-pandemic revitalization, Bangkok’s appeal to remote professionals is making headlines and prompting discussions about Thailand’s global standing.

The DTV marks a shift in Thailand’s economic strategy, moving beyond dependence on short-term tourism. Introduced on July 15, 2024, the visa enables eligible freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees to reside and work legally in Thailand for up to six months per entry, with a renewable five-year duration. A one-time fee around 10,000 baht and proof of at least US$70,000 in annual income grant access to reliable internet and immersive experiences in what many view as Southeast Asia’s most dynamic city.

Thailand is witnessing a rapid rise in dietary supplements sold in Bangkok pharmacies and online. The growth mirrors a global wellness trend and reflects rising urbanization, digital marketing, and a growing middle class seeking proactive health options. This piece analyzes the market dynamics, health realities, and implications for Thai consumers and policymakers.

Globally, a large share of adults uses supplements daily, contributing to a multibillion-dollar industry with thousands of products. In Thailand, the nutritional supplement sector surpassed US$4.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach about US$5.5 billion by 2030, according to industry analysts. The momentum is driven by convenience, accessibility, and a desire to support preventive health alongside traditional medicine and nutrition.

A rapid trend from Korea is reshaping how young people think about identity and compatibility. A 28-question test based on hormonal cues, known as the teto-egen typology, has become a popular shorthand in conversations, dating, and online communities—outpacing MBTI in everyday discussions. The wave has extended into pop culture, fueling debates among educators and researchers alike.

In teto-egen, people are categorized by energy type and interpersonal style. The system identifies four archetypes: teto men who are athletic and bold; egen men who are gentle and appearance-conscious; teto women who are expressive and outgoing; and egen women who are reserved and traditionally feminine. Many youths use these labels to gauge potential romantic compatibility from blind dates to discussions about celebrities. A major Southeast Asian study notes that millions have engaged with these archetypes on Korean personality platforms.

As Thai families celebrate their children’s first loose tooth—a familiar childhood milestone—they may be witnessing another, far more hidden transformation: a dramatic shift in the child’s brain known as “wobbly-tooth puberty.” According to new research highlighted in sources such as the BBC’s recent feature and supported by studies published in Nature Human Behaviour, the age of six marks the beginning of “middle childhood,” a developmental stage long overlooked by scientists but now revealed to be a crucial turning point for both brain function and emotional intelligence (BBC Future; Nature).

A recent analysis of the world’s largest tourism economies underscores the immense financial impact of travel on nations’ prosperity, with the United States and China leading the global hierarchy in 2024. Data published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and visualized by Visual Capitalist shows that the U.S. tourism sector generated a staggering US$2.36 trillion this year, while China followed as a rapidly growing market at $1.3 trillion Visual Capitalist.

A large international study followed more than 540,000 adults for nearly three decades and found a link between diets rich in ultra-processed foods and a higher risk of premature death. The research indicates those with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods faced about a 10% greater chance of dying earlier than those who consumed the least. With UPFs common in Thai diets, these findings have immediate relevance for health and daily eating habits.

Dietary supplements have become an omnipresent feature of modern wellness culture, with shelves in drugstores, supermarkets, and online platforms crowded by an ever-expanding array of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal extracts. While the United States remains a major hub of the supplement industry, this rapid growth is mirrored in Thailand, where the sector has seen unprecedented expansion over the past decade. This news report investigates the forces powering the supplement surge, the health realities behind the claims, and what these trends mean for Thai consumers, health regulators, and policymakers.

In a world where boundaries between technology and humanity are blurring, a growing number of people are forming deep, even marital, relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, challenging long-held assumptions about love, companionship, and the human psyche. A recent feature by The Guardian explores the touching, complex, and sometimes controversial stories of individuals who have married or formed romantic bonds with AI personalities, highlighting a new dimension of digital life that is rapidly gaining attention worldwide, including in Thailand.

A global wave of interest in artificial intelligence is reshaping ideas of love, companionship, and identity. Across the world, people form deep bonds with AI chatbots, and some even marry their digital partners. Thai audiences are increasingly curious about how these trends intersect with culture, family, and well-being.

In one widely reported example, an American user grew from curiosity to emotional attachment with a generative AI chatbot on the Replika platform, culminating in a digital wedding. This case reflects a broader online community where people seek friendship, comfort, or deeper partnerships with AI. Data from researchers and social observers show similar stories emerging in many countries, including Thailand, where digital tools increasingly accompany daily life.

In a dramatic shift echoing across the tourism and diplomatic landscapes, China has introduced sweeping visa-free access for citizens from over 70 countries, seeking to reinvigorate its travel sector and global engagement. Meanwhile, the United States—especially under the influence of former President Donald Trump’s ongoing views—has moved in the opposite direction, rolling out new restrictions, higher fees, and bans affecting travelers from a growing list of nations. These divergent paths are not only defining the international tourism recovery post-pandemic, but also symbolizing larger trends in global openness and isolationism—raising questions on what this means for Thai travelers, the region, and the future of cross-border mobility.

Early-life exercise may not extend the number of years one lives, but new research shows it can deliver a longer, healthier life—at least in mice. A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications in July 2025 has revealed that regular exercise in youth substantially improves health markers and delays age-related decline, but does not significantly increase overall lifespan in mice. These findings highlight the critical importance of building active habits early in life to maximize the quality of health in later years—a message with profound relevance for Thai families, educators, and health policymakers.

The global decline in birth rates, long framed in terms of morality and cultural anxieties by right-wing commentators, is being recast by recent research as a problem rooted overwhelmingly in financial insecurity and systemic economic barriers. According to a groundbreaking United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) survey, the majority of people worldwide—including Thais—are having fewer children than they desire, primarily because of economic limitations, rather than a loss of interest in family or cultural shifts decried by conservative voices. This pushback comes amid rising alarmism in Western media declaring a “birth-rate crisis” with disastrous economic and social consequences if not urgently addressed.

Recent headlines touting that “exercise is better than drugs” for cancer remission have captured the public’s imagination, sparking debate between proponents of “natural” interventions and advocates of traditional medicine. However, analysis of the latest landmark research reveals the reality is more nuanced than the catchy titles suggest – and the implications for cancer patients, including those in Thailand, could be profound if correctly understood and applied.

At the source of the recent media buzz is a major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focusing on patients recovering from colon cancer, the world’s third-most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Conducted between 2009 and 2024 across six countries, including Australia and Canada, the clinical trial followed 889 patients who had undergone colon cancer surgery and completed chemotherapy. Participants were randomized into two groups: one received a rigorously structured, professionally supervised exercise programme tailored to cancer survivors; the other group received health education materials on the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating, but without extra support or monitoring (The Guardian, Oncology Central).

A growing body of science challenges the idea that waking at 5 a.m. guarantees success. For Thai readers, the practical takeaway is clear: align daily habits with personal biology, stay flexible, and manage energy thoughtfully. The latest findings point to a balanced path to higher productivity and well-being that fits Thai lifestyles, families, and work rhythms.

Research across professions shows that people thrive on varied schedules. Some peak at 7 a.m., others in the afternoon, and some late at night. The common thread is not the alarm clock but how individuals conserve energy and focus on core priorities. In Thailand, where family duties and night shifts are common, rigid routines can be impractical or unhealthy.

The myth that waking up at 5 a.m. is the golden ticket to success has long dominated social media feeds, with influencers and productivity gurus touting early morning routines as essential for achieving peak performance. However, recent research and expert interviews suggest that true mental strength isn’t about clock-watching at dawn—it’s about aligning daily habits with personal biology, flexible routines, and conscious energy management. For Thai readers searching for practical, science-backed strategies to improve productivity and well-being, the latest findings shine a light on a more balanced, adaptable pathway to success.

Breaking up periods of sitting with brief bouts of body-weight squats can significantly improve blood sugar regulation—outperforming even short walks—according to a new study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, as reported by Earth.com. These findings come as Thailand, like much of the world, faces a rising tide of sedentary lifestyles and diabetes risk, making this research particularly relevant for office workers, students, and anyone spending long hours seated.

Across the world, including in Thailand, a quiet revolution is reshaping the priorities of military families as they increasingly place long-term stability and well-being above salary benefits. A recent feature from Business Insider shares a personal account from the United States, where a soldier left the armed forces after 10 years despite a pay cut, motivated by the desire to provide greater stability for his family. This resonates strongly with Thai society, where similar issues around military service, work-life balance, and family well-being have become more prominent in public discourse.

A new international study has revealed that even modest increases in blood sugar levels—not just advanced diabetes—can have a significant negative impact on men’s sexual health as they age, shifting the traditional understanding of male reproductive well-being. The latest findings, presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 annual meeting in San Francisco, spotlight metabolic health, especially mild hyperglycemia, as a key driver in changes to sexual functioning among men, offering a new roadmap for prevention and intervention.

A new international study signals that low sexual activity, belly fat, and depressive symptoms may together raise the risk of early death. The research tracked nearly 5,000 adults over 15 years and emphasizes practical implications for health screening and preventive care in Thailand as well as beyond.

Researchers followed adults aged 20 to 59 who reported infrequent sexual activity in the prior year. They used a precise waist-related fat index and a standard questionnaire to assess depressive symptoms. Over the follow-up period, 215 participants died. Abdominal obesity stood out as the strongest death predictor, with high body shape indices nearly doubling risk. Depression also raised risk significantly, by about 86%. Notably, individuals with both high abdominal fat and high depressive symptoms—and low sexual activity—faced almost four times the death risk compared with those without these factors. Data drawn from national records supported these conclusions, and the researchers estimated that about half of deaths in this high-risk group could be linked to the combined effect of fat and mood.

A simple walking technique developed in Japan nearly two decades ago is taking the global fitness scene by storm, touted as an accessible way to lower blood pressure, strengthen leg muscles, and improve heart health—no gym required. Known as “Japanese Walking” or Interval Walking Training (IWT), the method alternates three minutes of brisk walking with three minutes of slower recovery walking, repeated five times for a total of 30 minutes. Scientific studies now back its claims, showing marked benefits, especially among older adults, sparking a viral trend that is reaching Thailand and much of Southeast Asia.

A global study reveals that even small rises in blood sugar, not just diabetes, can affect men’s sexual function as they age. The findings shift how researchers understand male reproduction and highlight metabolic health as a key driver. Results were presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 annual meeting.

Traditionally, aging and lower testosterone were seen as the main causes of reduced male sexual health. The new study, conducted at a leading German university hospital, challenges this view. While age and testosterone matter, the strongest link appears to be modest blood sugar increases and related metabolic changes. This suggests lifestyle changes and medical care can help men maintain sexual health longer.

A Nature Communications study shows that exercise in youth can extend healthspan, even if it does not lengthen total lifespan. Young mice that swam regularly for three months gained healthier aging later, including better metabolism, stronger bones, and reduced inflammation. For Thai families and policymakers, the research highlights the value of building active habits early to improve quality of life as people age.

Researchers conducted a controlled experiment with young mice, exercising one- to four-month-olds for 90 minutes daily for three months, then stopping formal training. The animals were followed for the rest of their lives. While median lifespan remained similar to sedentary mice, exercisers showed meaningful healthspan improvements. Benefits included leaner bodies, lower fat, improved heart and muscle function, and reduced frailty in old age, along with lower systemic inflammation and greater metabolic resilience.

A growing addiction to short-form online videos is literally changing the way our brains work, according to new research published in the journal NeuroImage and highlighted in a recent Forbes analysis. As bite-sized, attention-grabbing content becomes the norm across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, psychologists and neuroscientists warn that the trend has significant implications for cognitive health—particularly among Thai youth and young adults who are some of the most avid users of these platforms in Southeast Asia.