News

Bangkok – “I hate Mondays” has long been a running joke in offices, schools, and coffee shops across Thailand and around the world. But new evidence suggests this sentiment is far more than a punchline: Mondays may actually harm our health in ways that persist long after the workweek begins, escalating the risk for major medical problems and chronic stress. That’s the startling message from groundbreaking research led by the University of Hong Kong and published this week in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which found that people who feel anxious on Mondays experience the highest spikes in stress hormones – with effects that can linger for months.

In a cautionary tale that has captured international attention, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey was recently hospitalized just “one step” from liver failure after taking high-dose turmeric supplements she’d learned about on social media. Her story, reported by several outlets including the Daily Mail and NBC News, underscores a growing health risk as dietary supplements become increasingly popular worldwide—including in Thailand—without adequate regulation and public understanding of potential side effects. The case has left medical experts urging consumers to approach herbal remedies with caution and spurred new research into the potential dangers associated with even “natural” supplements.

A July 2025 study investigates a subtle social dynamic: why people often refrain from publicly excusing others’ moral slip-ups, even when harm seems minimal. The research, summarized by health and science outlets, examines how public judgment shapes social trust, community norms, and everyday interactions.

For Thai readers, the findings fit a culture that values social harmony and respectful conduct. Concepts like face-saving and conflict avoidance influence responses to cheating, lying, or petty theft. The study encourages reflection on the pressures witnesses feel when choosing whether to excuse or condemn behavior in public.

A new wave of research and social commentary is upending long-held assumptions that drinking alcohol is a shortcut to popularity, confidence, or being “cool.” As reflected in a recent reflection piece from Psychology Today titled “I Thought Drinking Made Me Cool. I Was Wrong” (published July 2025), growing numbers of young people, health professionals, and marketing analysts are scrutinizing the links between alcohol, peer pressure, and self-image. As Thai society continues to grapple with its own evolving drinking culture, these insights hold timely lessons for youth, educators, and policymakers alike.

A growing body of psychology suggests that chasing happiness as an end in itself may reduce overall life satisfaction over time. Research from leading universities shows that focusing too much on momentary joy can undermine a deeper, more enduring sense of well-being. For Thai readers balancing tradition and global influences, these insights offer practical guidance on building a meaningful life.

Today, happiness is often framed as a product to acquire, display, and showcase on social media. But treating happiness as something to chase can clash with long-term well-being. As philosopher Viktor Frankl noted, happiness “must happen” rather than be forced. Contemporary studies echo this nuance: relentless pursuit of happiness can sometimes lessen life satisfaction.

Recent evidence challenges the idea that alcohol makes people more popular, confident, or “cool.” A July 2025 reflection in Psychology Today highlights how health professionals, educators, and young people in Thailand are reexamining the link between drinking, peer pressure, and self-image. The insights offer timely lessons for Thai youth, teachers, and policymakers amid evolving drinking cultures.

The idea of the “cool drinker” persists in advertising and pop culture. Bar scenes on international TV and ongoing marketing campaigns suggest that sociability and success come with drinking. New data and candid reflections from former supporters question whether alcohol truly delivers social ease, likability, or lasting confidence.

A new wave of scientific investigations suggests that routinely taking daily vitamin supplements may not be as essential as once believed, challenging the long-standing perception that multivitamins are crucial for maintaining overall health. The discussion gained renewed attention following a recent episode of CNN’s ‘Chasing Life’ podcast, which explored the mounting evidence around vitamin supplementation and its actual impact on health outcomes for most people (cnn.com).

Thais, like people everywhere, have been long encouraged to take daily vitamins as part of a “preventive” wellness routine. In Bangkok, pharmacies and convenience stores prominently display multivitamin products, reflecting widespread cultural trust in supplements. Many parents give their children chewable vitamins, while health-conscious office workers add “multi-vits” to their daily routines, especially during the rainy season or pandemic scares. But the latest research is questioning whether this global — and intensely local — supplement habit is either necessary or effective.

A wave of recent research suggests daily vitamin supplements may not be essential for most people, challenging the idea that multivitamins are a universal health safeguard. The conversation has gained global attention, including coverage of studies on vitamin supplementation and its real impact on health outcomes, as discussed in a popular health podcast.

In Thailand, the habit of taking daily vitamins is widespread. Bangkok pharmacies and convenience stores stock multivitamins prominently, reflecting broad trust in supplements. Many parents give children chewables, while office workers add “multi-vits” during the rainy season or health scares. New studies are prompting a closer look at whether this global practice delivers meaningful benefits.

In offices and classrooms across Thailand, the familiar “I hate Mondays” refrain often feels lighthearted. New research, however, points to real health implications tied to Monday anxiety. Scientists report that heightened Monday stress can trigger a biological response that lingers, potentially increasing risks for chronic stress and heart-related issues.

The study tracked adults over 50 in the United Kingdom using hair cortisol to measure cumulative stress. Researchers found Monday-specific anxiety linked to lasting cortisol spikes, whereas anxiety on other days did not produce the same effect. This indicates the workweek’s start can provoke an anticipatory stress response with tangible health consequences.

New research reframes the global drop in birth rates as a response to financial insecurity and structural barriers rather than shifting values. An extensive UNFPA survey shows that people worldwide, including in Thailand, are having fewer children than they want mainly due to money troubles, unstable jobs, and housing pressures. The findings challenge the “birth-rate crisis” narrative and point to policy solutions that address the true costs of parenting.

Across nations, a gap remains between desired and actual family size. Thirty-nine percent of respondents cited financial constraints as the main reason for having fewer children than planned, while 40 percent pointed to job insecurity and housing inadequacy. Only 38 percent felt they reached their target, and 31 percent reported fewer children than hoped. The data indicate economic barriers are the primary obstacle to larger families, not a lack of interest in parenting.

A hospital case in the United States involving a 57-year-old woman underscores a cautionary tale for turmeric use. She nearly faced liver failure after taking high-dose turmeric capsules she found on social media. Medical teams recovered her liver function with treatment, but this incident highlights that “natural” products can carry real risks when taken without medical guidance.

Turmeric, known in Thai as khamin chan, has long been a staple in both cuisine and traditional healing across Asia. The woman began consuming turmeric capsules to ease joint pain after seeing health tips online. Each capsule contained about 2,250 mg of curcumin, well above the daily amounts suggested for her body weight by global health guidelines. She later reported stomach pains, fatigue, and dark urine, which led doctors to check her liver. Enzyme levels were markedly elevated, yet she avoided a transplant with prompt care.

A growing global movement urges families to unplug during summer. Recent recommendations from the UK’s Raising the Nation Play Commission support the idea that a phone-free break can curb digital overuse while boosting resilience, happiness, and social skills. In many households, experts warn that excessive smartphone use is linked to lower well-being, especially for children who spend long hours online.

For Thai families and educators, this trend aligns with local concerns about children’s screen habits. Thai and international studies indicate that high screen time can relate to behavioral and emotional challenges. As routines shift toward digital engagement, parents, schools, and policymakers in Thailand are seeking practical ways to restore balanced childhood experiences and healthy social development.

A growing body of psychological research, backed by both historic wisdom and empirical studies, suggests that the relentless pursuit of happiness could ironically be leading to widespread dissatisfaction. According to recent findings discussed by a renowned psychologist and researchers from Stanford, focusing too much on feeling happy in the moment may actually undermine a more meaningful—and ultimately satisfying—life experience. For Thai readers navigating a society in flux between traditional values and global influences, these insights offer timely lessons for crafting a fulfilling existence.

A recent study finds that quick, body-weight squats during work or study breaks can better regulate post-meal blood sugar than short walks. The research, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, is especially relevant for Thai urban life where long sitting is common among office workers and students.

In Thailand’s busy cities, many people spend hours seated at desks or in classrooms. Health officials caution that meeting daily exercise targets may not offset the harms of uninterrupted sedentary time. The study offers simple, practical interventions that fit Thai routines and environments.

A groundbreaking Stanford-led study has raised urgent warnings about the use of artificial intelligence therapy bots, revealing that today’s best-known AI chatbots not only fail to recognize mental health crises but can actively fuel delusional thinking and provide dangerous, sometimes life-threatening, advice. As conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT and commercial therapy chatbots gain popularity among those seeking mental health support, the study exposes potentially devastating consequences if users mistake these technologies for real therapeutic care.

A growing body of evidence underscores the immense emotional, physical, and spiritual strain shouldered by caregivers—often family members—tasked with looking after loved ones with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease. Recent personal stories and new data shared in a July 2025 report by faith columnist Terry Pluto bring renewed attention to both the widespread challenges and silent heroics within caregiving communities, with lessons and warnings that resonate deeply in Thailand.

A large international study shows that a supervised, structured exercise program after standard colon cancer treatment can improve long-term outcomes. For Thai readers, the finding underscores how lifestyle support can play a meaningful role in survivorship care without replacing medicine.

From 2009 to 2024, 889 colon cancer patients who finished chemotherapy were randomized to a guided exercise program or to a lifestyle-education group. The exercise plan was personalized and supervised, with weekly in-person coaching for six months, then gradually reduced as participants gained confidence. Target goals were 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous activity, including brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or circuit classes. The control group received lifestyle advice on activity and healthy eating without extra coaching.

A wave of recent research and critical commentary is throwing a spotlight on how TV dramas across South Asia, including in Pakistan and by extension those consumed in Thailand, continue to spread harmful myths about mental illness. Instead of fostering understanding and compassion, many popular shows still portray psychological disorders as punishment for bad behaviour—a damaging misconception that deepens stigma, discourages treatment, and reinforces outdated social hierarchies.

The significance of this discussion stretches far beyond the world of entertainment. For millions of Thai and Southeast Asian viewers who consume South Asian dramas through streaming platforms and satellite TV, these narratives not only provide entertainment but also help shape cultural attitudes toward mental health—often in ways that can be detrimental for individuals and families confronting mental health challenges in real life.

A compact walking routine from Japan is gaining traction as a practical, low-cost way to lower blood pressure, strengthen legs, and improve heart health—without a gym. Known as Japanese Walking or Interval Walking Training (IWT), it alternates three minutes of brisk walking with three minutes of slower recovery walking, repeated five times for 30 minutes. Research from multiple countries supports its benefits, with strong results among older adults, helping the trend spread to Thailand and Southeast Asia.

A quiet shift is reshaping expectations among Thai military families. Across the globe and in Thailand, service members increasingly prioritize long-term stability and family well-being over salary perks. A recent feature highlights a U.S. soldier who left the armed forces after a decade, taking a pay cut to gain predictability and more time with his family. The story resonates with Thai readers, where work-life balance and family cohesion are rising topics in public discussions about military service.

A global study from Stanford researchers highlights significant safety concerns with AI therapy bots. The research shows that current chatbots can misread crises, potentially fueling delusions or offering unsafe guidance. While tools like ChatGPT and commercial therapy assistants promise privacy and accessibility, experts warn they are not a substitute for licensed mental health care and can worsen distress in critical moments.

In Thailand, limited access to traditional counselling has driven many to seek online, stigma-free conversations with AI chatbots. The latest findings prompt Thai health professionals to consider safety, trust, and the risks of relying on automated advice during emotional crises.

A global shift in travel policy is reshaping planning for work, study, and holidays among Thai readers. China has broadened visa-free access to 74 countries for stays up to 30 days, part of a drive to revive tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties. By contrast, the United States is tightening entry rules with higher visa fees and shorter visa validity in many cases. The divergence underscores changing attitudes toward openness and borders, with direct implications for Thai students, workers, and vacationers.

Heavy use of short-form videos is reshaping how the brain processes information, according to new findings in NeuroImage. As TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts dominate feeds, clinicians warn of cognitive and behavioral effects—particularly for Thai youth and young adults who are among Southeast Asia’s most active users.

Thailand mirrors a global trend toward ultra-brief content. From recipes to breaking news, creators race to grab attention with quick, engaging clips. The term “brain rot,” coined by Gen Z, gained academic attention after being named Oxford University Press’s Word of the Year for 2024. Researchers say constant scrolling can affect thinking, judgment, and daily functioning.

Caregivers, often family members, bear heavy emotional, physical, and spiritual burdens when assisting loved ones with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke, or Parkinson’s. A recent 2025 analysis highlights how these pressures resonate in Thailand amid rapid aging and changing family dynamics.

Caregiving often begins with uncertainty. A husband caring for his wife with early-onset Alzheimer’s embodies the ongoing questions: how long will this last, and how will it end? In Thailand, many families start with unclear timelines and outcomes, facing long-term demands beyond dementia. Nationwide data indicates a growing elderly population, and shifts in family structures mean more elders live apart from younger relatives or in rural areas. This makes unpaid caregiving more common and complex, with stress intensifying as formal supports remain limited.