News

In a landmark study challenging widespread beliefs about heredity and mental health, researchers have found that the majority of cases of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression arise in individuals with no close family history of these conditions. The research, covering data from over 3 million people, calls for a shift in how mental health is understood and addressed both globally and within Thailand’s evolving mental health landscape (Neuroscience News).

A new report is casting doubt on the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for the average person—a market that has ballooned to an estimated $38 billion in 2024 alone. As colorful bottles and attractive marketing campaigns promise better hydration, improved health, and even performance boosts, many Thais are left wondering: do these drinks really deliver on their promises, or are they just another health fad?

Electrolyte products are marketed to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even ordinary people who want to enhance their daily hydration. Popular in gyms and convenience stores across Bangkok, these drinks contain key minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—elements vital for maintaining fluid balance in the body, regulating heart rhythm, and ensuring muscle and nerve function. While sports drinks have become commonplace, public health experts say many Thais may be overestimating their benefits and underestimating the power of a regular balanced diet.

A pioneering chapter presented at the 2025 Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI) Congress introduces updated, evidence-based guidelines aimed at transforming how doctors worldwide—including in Thailand—approach sexual health histories in patient care. The guidelines, published and discussed by the HIV and STI Commission and developed with input from leading infectious disease specialists, offer clinicians seven core question areas essential for comprehensive sexual health consultations. Their adoption marks a significant shift toward more inclusive, respectful, and effective patient interactions, with important lessons for Thai healthcare providers and the wider community.

A new study is shaking up popular beliefs about gluten and digestive health, suggesting that millions of people—including those in Thailand—may be wrongly blaming this common protein for their stomach issues. The research, conducted by a team at McMaster University in Canada and published recently in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that gluten is not as universally harmful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as commonly thought, and that psychological expectations could play a major role in triggering symptoms (Gizmodo).

A growing body of research suggests high achievement alone doesn’t guarantee well-being. For Thai readers, the focus should shift from what is done to how progress is measured and the standards set. Rethinking personal benchmarks can bring more meaning to daily life.

In Thailand, fast-paced culture and social media amplify upward comparisons. External markers—likes, exam results, and job titles—often shape self-worth. This dynamic influences well-being as the country seeks resilient, fulfilled, and productive citizens.

Many studies and personal stories show that being alone does not have to mean feeling lonely. For Thai readers, this shift offers practical paths to better mental health through mindful solitude in a hyper-connected world.

The current narrative moves from feeling invisible in crowds to valuing solo time as a route to self-discovery. Research from the Harvard Making Caring Common project indicates that loneliness is not simply about being alone; people can feel emotionally detached even when surrounded by others. In the United States, about one in three adults report serious loneliness, with younger people most affected. These findings resonate in Thailand, where online pressures and the challenge of balancing connection with personal well-being are increasingly felt.

A recent review questions the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for most people, even as the global market spins toward a multi-billion-dollar figure in 2024. In Bangkok gyms, convenience stores, and online shops, vibrant bottles promise better hydration and performance. For Thai readers, the takeaway is clear: can ordinary meals and water meet everyday hydration needs without chasing every new beverage?

Electrolyte products target athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and busy office workers who want a quick hydration boost. In Thailand, these drinks are common in fitness centers and markets and usually contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and support heart rhythm, muscle, and nerve function. Yet public health experts emphasize that a varied, regular diet already provides most of what the body needs for daily activity.

A wave of research and commentary is fueling debate about Gen Z’s approach to mental well-being. Born roughly from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, this generation is praised for self-awareness and criticized by some elders as avoiding responsibility. A VegOut Magazine feature outlines nine behaviors—such as preemptive blocking and therapy-speak shutdowns—and examines their impacts on mental health, workplaces, families, and social cohesion. The discussion resonates in Thailand, where respect and harmony meet modern conversations on boundaries and well-being.

A sharp rise in lung cancer diagnoses among nonsmokers is changing the landscape of cancer research and prompting urgent questions about why this historically rare occurrence is now alarmingly common. Recent headlines underscore both a surge in cases and the mysteries that still shroud this deadly disease, with many lung cancers in nonsmokers having no obvious cause and frequently discovered by chance The New York Times.

While lung cancer has long been synonymous with tobacco use, a significant share of new patients are now individuals who have never smoked. The transformation is confounding both clinicians and the public, making it an important concern for readers in Thailand as well as globally.

Autism awareness is growing, but the numbers are not a sudden epidemic. A widely cited figure from the past suggests a 787% rise in autism diagnoses between 1998 and 2018. Experts say this reflects improved recognition and broader understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rather than a sharp increase in new cases. The implication is clear for Thai readers: better screening and support, not fear.

Improved screening and broader diagnostic criteria explain much of the visibility. Traditional definitions often captured only the most obvious cases, missing those with subtler or atypical presentations. As awareness expands, more women, adults, and individuals with non-traditional symptoms are diagnosed and connected with services. In Thailand, stories of adults seeking assessments after years of masking mirror global shifts toward understanding diverse autistic experiences.

A sharp rise in lung cancer among people who have never smoked is reshaping cancer research and public health discussions. Clinicians and researchers are racing to understand why this diagnosis is becoming more common, with many tumors detected incidentally and lacking obvious causes.

Lung cancer has long been linked to tobacco use, yet an increasing share of new patients in many countries are nonsmokers. This shift challenges traditional prevention messages and calls for broader attention to environmental, genetic, and occupational risk factors. The implications for Thailand are clear: lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths, while air quality often fails to meet safety standards in major cities.

A Japanese study reveals that optimistic people exhibit remarkably similar brain activity when imagining the future, while pessimists display more individualized patterns. The findings, published in a premier scientific journal, suggest our outlook is rooted in brain function and may illuminate why optimists often build stronger social ties.

In Thai life, the idea of “being on the same wavelength” resonates through family chats, classrooms, and workplace teamwork. This Kobe University project provides scientific backing for that everyday sense, linking social psychology with neuroscience. It offers clear evidence that how we picture the future shapes our ability to relate to others.

A groundbreaking five-year study has found that individuals experiencing social anxiety are more likely to become lonely in the future, but not vice versa. This major discovery challenges prevailing assumptions and has important implications for how mental health professionals and Thai families address loneliness and isolation—major social and health issues within the Kingdom. The research, published in Psychological Medicine, draws on a large-scale, longitudinal dataset and is among the most robust to date in clarifying the connection between these two common struggles (PsyPost).

A large five-year study finds that social anxiety in adults increases the odds of feeling lonely later, while loneliness itself does not reliably trigger social anxiety. The finding challenges common assumptions and offers clear implications for Thai families, schools, and health services as loneliness rises in urban communities. The research appears in Psychological Medicine and uses a robust longitudinal dataset to deepen understanding of how anxiety and isolation interact.

In Thailand, where family ties and social gatherings are culturally central, rising loneliness has attracted concern from the Ministry of Public Health and universities. Local surveys point to increasing isolation after Covid-19 disruptions and ongoing digital shifts in how people connect. This international study helps frame Thailand’s experience within a broader context of mental well-being and changing social life.

A major study in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that a structured, supervised exercise program can lower death risk and cancer recurrence among colon cancer survivors. Over three years, participants who followed the program had a 37% lower risk of death and a 28% reduction in recurrence compared with those who received only general health guidance. The results offer a practical, low-cost approach to improving long-term outcomes for cancer patients worldwide, including in Thailand.

A sweeping analysis of clinical research has found that gentle exercises—most notably Tai Chi, yoga, walking, and jogging—may beat pills and even rival therapy in treating insomnia, offering hope to millions in Thailand and around the world who struggle with sleepless nights. This landmark finding, published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, is driving fresh discussion about the role of traditional mind-body practices in modern healthcare and could pave the way for more accessible treatment options for sleep disorders.

A new chapter unveiled at the 2025 Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI) Congress updates evidence-based guidelines for sexual health histories. The seven core question areas are designed to guide patient-centered conversations and reduce stigma in clinical settings. Thailand’s healthcare community can apply these insights to improve trust, confidentiality, and access across public and private sectors.

In Thai culture, discussions about sexual health can be sensitive and stigmatized. The adapted framework reflects a global effort to destigmatize services and improve care. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health shows ongoing gaps in STI screening and patient trust, underscoring the need for clearer communication tools and empathetic clinical approaches. The guidelines offer a pragmatic model for Thai practitioners to foster confidentiality, trust, and patient-centered care within local contexts.

A quiet shift is unfolding among Thai youths and around the world: Generation Z appears to be having fewer sexual experiences by the same life stage as previous generations. For Thai readers, the trend intersects with local concerns about relationships, online culture, and overall well-being. Researchers describe a complex mix of social, psychological, and technological factors shaping intimate life in the digital age.

Across markets, data suggest Gen Z is engaging less in sexual activity at comparable ages. A synthesis by a leading health journalist draws on conversations with more than 100 people under 30, showing that it is not a lack of desire but a network of pressures shaping behavior. Many young people feel overwhelmed by online media and social expectations, leaving them uncertain about real-life intimacy.

A new analysis by a leading research library examines how law, culture, and personal identity intersect in Thailand’s naming system. The study shows how surnames, given names, and nicknames shape daily life, legal processes, and international interactions for Thais navigating registration, transliteration, and name changes.

Historically, Thai naming practices reflect social, religious, and bureaucratic structures. Surnames became widespread after the Surname Act of 1913 as part of state modernization. Since then, every family is expected to register a unique surname, creating a government-regulated identifier that touches government databases, education, and everyday introductions.

A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that people with diabetes who accumulate their weekly exercise in one or two sessions—often called “weekend warriors”—can significantly lower their risk of death, especially from heart disease. For Thai readers, the finding offers a practical path to better health amid busy work and family commitments.

Thailand faces a high diabetes burden. Health authorities estimate nearly five million Thais have the condition, with many undiagnosed until complications appear. Heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems remain common among Thai diabetes patients, straining families and the healthcare system. Public health leaders emphasize lifestyle changes, including better diet and more physical activity, but time and access can be barriers in both urban and rural areas.

Despite following every productivity guide, adopting the healthiest diet, and striving for perfection, an increasing number of Thais and people worldwide finish each day feeling like they have fallen short. This unsettling phenomenon—of ticking all the boxes yet still feeling unsuccessful—is now being dissected by new research and expert opinion, revealing that the root causes often run deeper than lack of effort or discipline. According to a recent article published by VegOut Magazine on July 21, 2025, the answer lies not in what people are doing, but in how they measure their progress and the expectations they set for themselves (VegOut Magazine).

A new wave of concern is sweeping through the pediatric health field following the publication of research in Environmental Health Perspectives, which found that children with double the urinary triclosan levels had a 23 percent higher likelihood of experiencing eczema symptoms. Triclosan, a chemical once widespread in antibacterial soaps and body washes, was restricted in the United States nearly a decade ago. However, evidence suggests it persists in everyday products worldwide — including in Thailand — with the potential for ongoing health impacts, particularly among vulnerable young populations (Washington Post).

Bhutan has emerged as a global leader in tech-savvy tourism by launching the world’s first nationwide, government-backed crypto payment system, aiming to fundamentally reshape the visitor experience in this Himalayan kingdom. As of May 2025, nearly every aspect of a traveler’s stay in Bhutan – from visa fees and flights, to hotels, meals, and even entry into centuries-old dzongs – can now be paid for with digital currencies like Bitcoin via a seamless service jointly launched by Binance Pay and Bhutan’s state-owned DK Bank, as detailed in a recent SCMP exclusive.

Bhutan is redefining travel payments with a government-backed crypto system. By May 2025, visitors could pay for visas, flights, hotels, meals, and dzong entries using digital currencies like Bitcoin. The service is developed by Binance Pay in collaboration with Bhutan’s state-owned DK Bank. This marks a bold shift in how tourism finances are managed in the Himalayan kingdom.

For Thailand and the wider Southeast Asian region, Bhutan’s approach shows how technology and finance reshape travel. Governments compete to attract tech-savvy visitors while supporting economic recovery after the pandemic. Bhutan’s model demonstrates that a strong payment ecosystem can drive growth without compromising cultural and environmental priorities.