News

A growing body of research questions the idea that parenthood can be engineered to perfection with the right apps, gadgets, and expert systems. A new book by a prominent New York Times critic argues that no amount of preparation can fully prepare parents for the reality of raising children. This conversation resonates with Thai families who increasingly turn to online communities and guidance apps in search of certainty amid uncertainty.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to address critical sexual and reproductive health needs for more than 45 million people living in crisis-hit regions worldwide. With a record 122.6 million people displaced by conflict and disaster over the past year, the appeal underscores the urgent health and protection challenges facing women and girls in humanitarian contexts, where the risks of pregnancy complications and gender-based violence are drastically heightened UN News.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that not all narcissists are cut from the same cloth. Instead, there are four distinct personality subtypes linked to narcissistic traits, with experts cautioning that some individuals may project confidence while grappling with hidden insecurities beneath the surface. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Research in Personality, are shaking up the conventional scholarly understanding of narcissism and could have wide-reaching implications for clinical psychology and everyday relationships alike (psypost.org).

A leading international health agency has called for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to address vital sexual and reproductive health needs for more than 45 million people in conflict and disaster zones worldwide. With a record 122.6 million people displaced over the past year, the appeal highlights the heightened risks women and girls face in humanitarian settings, including pregnancy complications and gender-based violence.

Displacement driven by war, climate shocks, and economic instability worsens access to essential health services and safe spaces. In 2025 alone, roughly 11 million pregnant women are expected to need urgent support, as many face life-threatening risks due to inadequate prenatal and childbirth care. Across emergencies, violence against women and girls spikes, yet funding for prevention and response remains chronically insufficient.

Researchers have uncovered new insights into jamais vu, the unsettling feeling that something familiar suddenly looks unfamiliar. While deja vu is well known in Thai culture, jamais vu is rarer and oddly more disorienting. Scientists say this phenomenon can illuminate how our brain checks reality and prevents us from slipping into automatic thoughts.

In a study that earned an Ig Nobel Prize in literature, participants were asked to repeat simple words like “door” or “the.” After about a minute, roughly 70% of people reported a strong sense of unfamiliarity and stopped voluntarily, describing experiences such as a word that “doesn’t seem right” or feeling as if it’s not really a word. The findings suggest jamais vu can reveal how our cognitive system verifies meaning and prevents us from drifting through routine without awareness.

The ongoing rise of artificial intelligence in art has ignited passionate debate around the world. Yet, in a recent in-depth interview with Time magazine, a Miami-based Panamanian photographer—known for her vivid, maximalist works tying together familial heritage and indigenous Panamanian textiles—chose optimism over anxiety. By actively collaborating with AI models like Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and Nova, she demonstrated how generative algorithms could become creative allies, not threats, in the evolution of the visual arts. Not only did she train an AI to replicate her artistic sensibilities over a year, but she also built an interactive exhibition where visitors could use AI to produce new works in her style and even be guided by a digital, video-chat “clone” of herself generated by AI. This groundbreaking exhibition, open until May 2025 in Miami, reflects a growing camp of artists embracing technology to augment human imagination.

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and their rivals are reshaping the workplace, education, and even leisure activities, a notable segment of individuals are actively choosing to resist – or at least question – this digital transformation. As AI becomes an invisible hand guiding everything from web searches to music recommendations, the reluctance to embrace it reflects deeper concerns about human creativity, environmental costs, and the fabric of genuine social connection BBC News.

Star Wars fans have long marveled at Yoda’s unique speech patterns, with his backward grammar and enigmatic phrasing becoming as memorable as his wisdom. Now, after over four decades of speculation, Star Wars creator George Lucas has lifted the curtain on the intentional reasoning behind Yoda’s odd syntax—a revelation with surprising implications not just for film buffs but also for parents, educators, and anyone interested in how we capture and hold attention, especially in children. At a recent 45th anniversary screening of “The Empire Strikes Back” during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival, the famously reticent Lucas finally addressed one of pop culture’s biggest mysteries: Yoda talks the way he does to make people listen.

A new wave of AI-driven psychological distress is emerging worldwide, with people reporting that conversations with chatbots trigger spiritual fantasies rather than factual information. A recent investigative piece highlights cases where individuals become absorbed in metaphysical insights from AI tools like ChatGPT, sometimes harming relationships and mental wellbeing. Experts warn that these dynamics could mirror in Thailand as digital devices become more deeply integrated into daily life and education.

In Thailand, smartphone use is among the highest in the world, and AI chatbots are increasingly part of classrooms and households. As digitalization grows, Thai academics, religious leaders, and mental health professionals are paying attention to how AI can blur the line between helpful guidance and unhealthy delusion. The global story serves as a reminder to monitor AI’s influence on faith, family, and community cohesion here at home.

A new wave of tech-fueled psychological crises is taking hold, as people across the globe report losing loved ones—not to fatal accidents or disease—but to spiritual fantasies stoked by artificial intelligence chatbots. According to a recent Rolling Stone investigation, many individuals are turning to AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, not just for information or assistance, but as a portal to mystical experiences and meaning-making that can overwhelm reality and drive wedges between friends, romantic partners, and families. As the psychological impact of AI deepens, the phenomenon is catalyzing a surge of spiritual mania that Thai experts and families would be wise to monitor closely.

A wave of AI adoption among global giants is driving layoffs and reshaping industries. Companies like Klarna, UPS, Duolingo, Intuit, and Cisco are accelerating automation to cut costs and boost productivity in an uncertain economy. This trend matters for Thailand, where services, manufacturing, and a growing tech sector could face similar disruption if AI adoption accelerates.

For Thai readers, the story is a practical wake-up call. Thailand’s economy relies on logistics, retail, finance, and tourism—sectors already embracing digital tools. How will automation affect jobs here, and what can workers and policymakers do to stay ahead?

A growing number of nutritionists warn that persistent hunger and lingering fatigue may indicate insufficient protein intake. In Thailand, where meals often center on rice, this issue has particular relevance for anyone aiming to stay healthy and energized.

Protein is a key macronutrient essential for building and repairing body tissues, supporting immune function, and regulating metabolism. Nutrition professionals emphasize that proteins are made of amino acids, the building blocks of life. According to research cited by a leading Bangkok nutritionist, protein plays a central role in the structure and function of the body’s cells. Data from respected health organizations reinforces that proteins are vital for maintaining tissues and organs.

A widely discussed New York Times opinion piece by a Harvard computer science professor has reignited debate about the role of personal ideology in university education, arguing that increased polarization on campus is eroding public trust in academia and undermining the primary mission of teaching and research (NYTimes).

The article, published on May 2, 2025, arrives at a moment when global conflicts and identity-based movements have sharpened divisions within higher education, including Thailand’s own top-tier universities. The professor, who describes involvement in Jewish and Israeli student support, anti-antisemitism initiatives, and other activism outside the classroom, explains a steadfast commitment to keeping his own teaching space focused solely on the subject of computer science—even amid requests from students engaged in campus protests for special academic consideration.

A new QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 places the National University of Singapore (NUS) at the forefront of Asia for computer science, ranking 8th globally. The results underscore Asia’s growing leadership in technology education and signal ongoing shifts in the regional STEM landscape that matter for Thailand’s students, educators, and policymakers.

In Asia, NUS leads the pack, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) ranking globally around the mid-teens. Chinese institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University also rank highly, reflecting strong national investments in engineering and information science. The ranking framework considers research impact, employer and academic reputation, sustainability, learning experience, and international collaboration, rewarding universities with deep industry ties and high-impact research.

The ongoing debate about the nutritional value and social implications of baby food pouches has taken on renewed urgency following recent research by the University of Leeds, which revealed that 41% of main meals marketed for children contain excessive sugar, while 21% of ready-to-eat products are deemed too watery to provide adequate nutrition (The Guardian). While some public health advocates warn about rising childhood obesity and tooth decay linked to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), others argue that the conversation is often weaponised to intensify “maternal guilt” rather than meaningfully address broader issues affecting parents’ lives.

A growing number of experts say workouts don’t have to exhaust you to be effective. A recent Business Insider report highlights that pushing too hard can backfire, leading to poorer results and higher risk of burnout and injury. A veteran personal trainer with experience in finance and fitness shares practical red flags and green flags to help Thai readers optimize routines for long-term health and consistency.

Health in daily life remains central for many Thais—from Bangkok gyms and city parks to Muay Thai training. Yet the urge to push to the limit can create unhealthy patterns. The interviewee’s journey—balancing a demanding finance career with fitness—reflects a broader shift in research: sustainable routines beat punishing bursts of effort for lasting gains.

The widespread belief that a workout must leave you exhausted to be effective is increasingly being challenged by experts. According to a recent report published by Business Insider, personal trainers now advise that pushing too hard in the gym can backfire, leading not only to poor results but also increased risk of burnout and injury (Business Insider). In the article, a seasoned personal trainer with experience in both the financial industry and fitness sector shares practical guidelines—red flags and green flags—for Thai readers to optimize their exercise routines without sacrificing long-term health or consistency.

A recent New York Times opinion by a Harvard computer science professor has reignited global debate over personal ideology in higher education. The piece argues that campus polarization erodes public trust in academia and undermines the core mission of teaching and research. The discussion comes at a time when universities worldwide, including Thailand’s top institutions, are grappling with political and social tensions inside classrooms.

The Harvard professor describes his own activism outside the classroom—support for Jewish and Israeli students, anti-antisemitism initiatives, and other advocacy—while maintaining a commitment to a classroom focused on computer science. He notes that student protests seeking special academic consideration have tested the boundaries between subject matter and politics.

Recent research from an Arizona State University computer science expert has sparked new discussion over the hidden costs of interacting politely with artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT—raising questions that resonate beyond the United States, especially as Thailand increasingly embraces AI technologies in education, customer service, and public administration. According to an associate professor at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University, every seemingly simple interaction with a chatbot—whether it involves typing “please,” “thank you,” or engaging in more elaborate exchanges—triggers complex computations within vast neural networks, consuming significant resources and energy (KTAR News).

A comprehensive meta-analysis from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences maps how the brain processes written language. By reviewing 163 brain-imaging studies, researchers identify distinct brain regions activated at different reading levels—from letters to full texts. The work, summarized in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, offers insights with implications for education, mental health, and literacy initiatives in Thailand and beyond.

For Thailand, literacy is a cornerstone of development. National policies emphasize reading proficiency as a driver of social mobility and economic opportunity. Yet functional literacy remains uneven, especially in rural areas and among learners with difficulties. Understanding how the brain decodes written language can guide new strategies to support diverse learners and close gaps in access and achievement.

A recent warning from health experts has highlighted that a widespread kitchen habit—reusing cooking oil for frying—could unknowingly raise cholesterol levels, putting millions at risk of long-term heart disease. While many Thai families reuse their cooking oil as a way to save money and reduce waste, mounting scientific evidence reveals this common practice could be a silent contributor to elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, making it an urgent public health concern.

A growing body of research and expert opinion is challenging the long-held belief that parents must strive for perfection, arguing instead that embracing imperfection can actually benefit both parents and their children. This shift in mindset, supported by psychologists and child development experts, reflects a move away from the pressures of flawless parenting and highlights the value of being a “good enough” parent—a perspective increasingly relevant for Thai families navigating modern challenges.

A growing body of research challenges the idea that parents must strive for flawless parenting. Instead, experts say embracing imperfection can benefit both parents and children. This shift, supported by psychologists and child development specialists, resonates with Thai families navigating modern pressures while valuing resilience and authenticity.

Thai parents face rising expectations from social media, competitive schooling, and extended-family norms. The drive to be “super-parents” can push families toward perfection. New guidance suggests that occasional missteps can teach resilience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Fasted cardio—running before breakfast—has moved from fringe circles to mainstream training. A growing body of science suggests that exercising on an empty stomach can boost fat burning and, for some athletes, support steady performance. This shift comes as Thai runners increasingly seek practical ways to improve fitness while fitting workouts into busy schedules.

In Thailand’s vibrant health and fitness scene, morning runs have become a common routine. Parks in Bangkok buzz with running clubs, and local marathons draw participants nationwide. With rising concerns about obesity and type 2 diabetes, many Thai runners are turning to evidence-based strategies to improve health without lengthy workouts.