News

A simple, science-backed walking method from Japan is gaining global attention for its potential to lower blood pressure, strengthen leg muscles, and boost overall well-being. Known as interval walking or “Japanese walking,” the routine is accessible, low impact, and easy to adopt—well-suited for Thai adults seeking practical lifestyle changes.

Interest in interval walking is rising because of solid research and straightforward steps. The protocol alternates brisk walking (about 70% of peak aerobic capacity) with slower walking (about 40% of peak). Each brisk interval lasts around three minutes, repeated for a total of 30 minutes per session. Studies indicate this method can increase peak aerobic capacity, lower blood pressure, and enhance thigh strength, especially among older adults. This makes it appealing across fitness levels for people looking to start small and stay consistent.

A straightforward walking technique from Japan, known as interval walking training or “Japanese walking”, is emerging as a low-impact and accessible solution for those seeking not just lower blood pressure but also stronger legs, improved metabolism, and better mental wellbeing. Recent research and expert commentary highlight growing international interest in this exercise trend—with significant implications for health-conscious Thais seeking practical lifestyle changes.

Interest in Japanese walking is surging due to a blend of decisive scientific evidence and its simplicity. Interval walking, devised by Japanese sports scientists nearly two decades ago, alternates periods of brisk walking (about 70% of one’s peak aerobic capacity) with periods of slower walking (about 40% of peak capacity). Each interval typically lasts three minutes, repeated for a total of 30 minutes per session. Recent studies show that this approach significantly increases peak aerobic capacity, lowers blood pressure, and enhances thigh muscle strength, especially in older participants, making it accessible and attractive for individuals at many fitness levels (The Economic Times, Verywell Health, Healthline).

New research and expert insights are shedding light on what people really do—and don’t do—when they’re authentically in love, offering lessons that could resonate strongly with Thai readers navigating modern relationships. A recent report from YourTango, based on interviews with relationship expert Julia Flood of New Start Therapy in San Francisco and recent behavioral science findings, reveals that love is much more than grand gestures or romantic declarations; it is grounded in everyday actions that can both surprise and challenge those experiencing it for the first time (YourTango).

A new neuroimaging study reports that regular mindfulness meditation increases bodily awareness, making the brain more receptive to subtle sensations. However, this heightened openness does not automatically improve accuracy in distinguishing real sensations from imagined ones. The findings offer important nuance for Thai practitioners and health professionals exploring meditation as a wellbeing tool. Research by a team at Georg-August University Göttingen highlights how mindfulness can shift brain processing, with practical implications for education, healthcare, and daily life in Thailand.

In a pioneering new study, neuroscientists have traced the precise brain mechanisms that empower us to tell the difference between what we imagine and what we actually see—an ability fundamental to understanding our own experience and, when disrupted, central to psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. The research, published this month in Neuron by a team at University College London (UCL), pinpoints the fusiform gyrus—a visual processing region of the brain—as a critical player in this reality-imagination divide, offering profound implications for mental health, technology, and our understanding of human perception (Neuroscience News).

As the cool chill of winter replaces the blazing heat of Thai summers, a growing body of research is shining a spotlight on why women are more likely than men to feel a drop in mood and energy during the darker months. Recent studies confirm that women are significantly more susceptible to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of recurrent depression that emerges as daylight hours shrink—a pattern particularly relevant for urban residents of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where work culture and indoor lifestyles can limit exposure to natural sunlight during the year’s shortest days.

A groundbreaking international study has revealed that resilience—an individual’s ability to adapt positively to stress and adversity—can significantly buffer the development of psychopathic traits in people exposed to childhood trauma. Published in the journal Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, the findings suggest that fostering resilience may be key to reducing the risk of harmful personality tendencies among those who have faced early adversity (PsyPost).

For Thai readers, where childhood trauma and its long-term impacts are often topics handled with caution or stigma, this new research underscores a vital message: not all individuals who suffer adversity in youth are inevitably set on a path toward antisocial or emotionally detached behavior. Instead, personal resources like adaptability, problem-solving, and persistence can dramatically alter one’s life trajectory.

A groundbreaking neuroimaging study published in the scientific journal Psychophysiology suggests that people who regularly practice mindfulness meditation are more likely to notice subtle bodily sensations, but this heightened awareness does not translate into greater accuracy when detecting real versus imagined stimuli. The research provides intriguing insights into how mindfulness affects the brain’s processing of sensory information—raising both exciting possibilities and important questions for Thai practitioners and health professionals interested in meditation for well-being (PsyPost).

A growing body of research suggests a surprising link between everyday sounds and how the highly intelligent brain processes the world. Innocuous noises like typing, chewing, or a microwave’s beeps can trigger strong irritation or anger, especially for creative and high-achieving individuals. For Thai readers, this reframes workplace, classroom, and public life—challenging norms about tolerance and productivity and inviting a nuanced conversation about well-being.

At the center is misophonia, a condition marked by intense emotional reactions to specific sounds. Once seen as a fringe complaint, misophonia is gaining recognition within the scientific community. In recent years, psychologists, neuroscientists, and educators have begun to explore its prevalence and impact. The topic has entered mainstream discourse through articles that examine how people with high cognitive or creative abilities may be particularly sensitive to sound, prompting reflection on social expectations and personal health.

A wave of culinary innovation is propelling Thailand’s regional fine-dining scene onto the world map. Elite chefs outside Bangkok are pursuing Michelin recognition as food tourism becomes more sophisticated. Phuket’s Pru and other regional venues are drawing discerning travelers with island ingredients and local identity, signaling a new era in dining experiences. The Michelin Guide Thailand 2025 confirms a record number of listed venues and Thailand’s first three-Michelin-star award, underscoring a shift away from beach-and-temple tourism toward gastronomic exploration.

A new international study shows resilience—the ability to adapt well to stress—can lessen the development of psychopathic traits in people who experienced childhood trauma. The research, published in a psychology journal focused on trauma, suggests fostering resilience could help reduce harmful personality tendencies among those who faced adversity early in life. For Thai readers, this finding carries a hopeful message: adversity in youth does not determine one’s future, and personal strengths like adaptability and problem-solving can change life paths.

A recent HuffPost piece highlights a rising dynamic in personal relationships: a pattern described as “dry begging.” This subtle form of emotional manipulation relies on indirect hints rather than direct requests, leaving partners to guess and often feel pressured to read between the lines. Expert commentary suggests this behavior is common, yet frequently overlooked in everyday life and can strain romantic, familial, and workplace bonds. The article notes the pattern exists across Western and Asian contexts, including Thailand, where indirect communication helps preserve social harmony.

A groundbreaking new philosophical analysis is challenging long-held psychiatric beliefs about delusion, urging the field to reconsider whether so-called “madness” is truly a sign of dysfunction or evidence of meaningful, adaptive strategy. The latest work, highlighted in a recent article on Mad in America and anchored in research from the European Journal of Analytic Philosophy, proposes that delusions may be better understood not as isolated symptoms of mental disorder, but as purposeful responses to overwhelming distress—responses that are systematically misunderstood, and unjustly marginalized, by conventional psychiatric practice (Madin America; European Journal of Analytic Philosophy).

A bold philosophical analysis is challenging decades of psychiatric thinking about delusion. It argues that madness might reflect meaningful, adaptive strategies rather than mere dysfunction. The latest work, discussed in a recent Mad in America feature and drawing on European Journal of Analytic Philosophy insights, suggests delusions may be purposeful responses to extreme distress. These beliefs are often misunderstood and marginalized by standard psychiatric practice, and a strategy-focused view could help reduce stigma in Thailand and beyond.

A recent travel report from a seasoned Southeast Asia explorer has spotlighted profound improvements in three standout cities—Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi—underscoring a regional trend of urban revival and sustainable tourism. The findings, chronicled by a writer who has chronicled regional shifts for nearly 30 years, are significant for both the tourism sector and local policymakers eyeing a post-pandemic recovery and future-friendly city development (Business Insider).

The transformation of these Southeast Asian cities matters to Thai readers and regional stakeholders for several reasons. Thailand’s own journey as a tourism powerhouse is reflected in the successes and stumbles of its neighbors—a comparative lens that can help both government and industry learn from best practices. Revitalizing city centers, safeguarding heritage, and stewarding sustainable growth are challenges faced right across the region. As domestic and outbound travel resumes with vigor, these stories also provide inspiration and caution for Thai cities seeking to balance authenticity, livability, and profitability.

Across South-east Asia, the month of June is evolving into a vibrant celebration of wellness, with resorts rolling out innovative programmes to mark Global Wellness Day (June 14) and International Yoga Day (June 21). From Thailand’s serene beaches and atmospheric sky bars to Vietnam’s expansive coastal retreats, the region’s hospitality sector is using June to redefine traveller health, highlighting the rise of wellness tourism as a major trend in 2025 (TTG Asia).

June has become a regional celebration of health, with Southeast Asian resorts launching programs for Global Wellness Day and International Yoga Day. From Thailand’s tranquil beaches and skyline bars to Vietnam’s expansive coastlines, hoteliers are redefining travel around mind and body wellness. Data from regional hospitality insights show wellness tourism rising as a key trend in 2025.

For Thai readers, this movement resonates beyond tourism. Thailand is increasingly recognized as a wellness destination, supported by research indicating rapid market growth and substantial revenue. The latest figures position Thailand among the world’s leaders in wellness expansion, underscoring how health-focused travel enhances both personal well-being and the country’s economy.

A seasoned Southeast Asia observer highlights how Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi are transforming their urban landscapes through sustainable tourism, heritage protection, and smart city initiatives. The report underscores a regional revival that matters for Thailand as it rebuilds post-pandemic tourism and renews city planning for long-term livability.

For Thai readers and policymakers, these developments offer a clear reference point. Thailand’s own tourism story—balancing growth with authenticity and local welfare—can learn from neighbors about protecting heritage, upgrading infrastructure, and distributing visitor demand more evenly across cities. As travel resumes, the region’s experiences provide practical guidance and cautionary tales for keeping cities vibrant without sacrificing culture or community life.

A supplement once celebrated by biohackers and wellness enthusiasts is facing a rigorous re-examination. Taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid widely used in energy drinks and dietary supplements, may be far less effective as an anti-aging tool than early studies suggested. Recent research and expert commentary indicate taurine levels do not consistently decline with age, challenging its role as a universal biomarker for aging or as a reliable longevity strategy.

A landmark same-sex wedding in Thailand has drawn global attention, highlighting both legal progress and ongoing regional challenges for LGBTQ couples. A gay Chinese couple recently wed in Bangkok, making them among the first mainland China residents to marry in Thailand since the country legalized same-sex unions earlier this year. Their story illustrates a growing desire for recognition and acceptance in a region where rights can still be uncertain at home. Media coverage of the ceremony underscores Thailand’s rapid social and legal shifts and their implications for LGBTQ rights in Asia.

A new international study questions two decades of climate pledges in tourism, showing the sector’s progress toward reducing emissions has been limited. Conducted by researchers at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the University of Waterloo in Canada, the analysis reviews major climate declarations since 2003 by governments and tourism bodies. Although commitments are plentiful, concrete emissions cuts remain elusive. For Thailand, a top global travel destination, the findings carry urgent implications as the sector drives growth while facing growing demands for environmental responsibility.

A landmark international study has found that despite twenty years of climate pledges, the global tourism industry has made scant progress towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question the sector’s commitment and strategies for climate action. The research, carried out by teams at Sweden’s Linnaeus University and Canada’s University of Waterloo, analyzes the effectiveness of climate declarations from leading tourism organizations and governments since 2003. The findings reveal that while climate commitments abound, meaningful results—especially in terms of emissions reductions—remain elusive, raising urgent concerns for countries like Thailand where tourism is a national economic pillar and environmental sustainability is increasingly central to policy and public debate (Skift).

A black cat’s unconventional workout on a walking pad has gone viral, challenging common assumptions about exercise routines for both humans and their furry companions. The video, which recently attracted widespread attention on social media platforms, shows a feline engaging in a rather unexpected method of using a walking pad—an exercise machine typically designed for humans. The cat’s unique posture and relaxed stride have led viewers to question everything they know about exercise methods and even inspired some to reconsider their own fitness habits.

New research clarifies what truly signals authentic love. Based on expert interviews and recent behavioral science, love is less about grand gestures and more about everyday choices that shape lasting relationships. A recent YourTango piece cites relationship expert Julia Flood and studies on how couples grow together, highlighting that love involves steady actions beyond initial romance.

Love resonates deeply in Thai culture, from epic tales and luk thung songs about heartbreak to modern K-dramas and dating apps. These influences shape how Thais interpret romance in fast-changing urban life. Understanding new scientific perspectives can help couples reflect on their own expectations and paths to genuine connection.