#Education

Younger and older Thais alike often believe that personality is as fixed as one’s blood type—a destiny defined in childhood and cast for life. However, new research and expert consensus are turning this assumption upside down, revealing that it’s not only possible to intentionally reshape your personality, but also that such change can benefit mental health, social connection, and overall happiness. Recent reporting from CBS News highlights the story of one determined journalist who took on the challenge of self-reinvention, backed by a growing body of psychological science (CBS News). Leading researchers now urge anyone dissatisfied with aspects of themselves, such as anxiety, shyness, or disorganization, to reconsider: your personality is more flexible than you think.

Frequent childhood illnesses concern Thai families juggling school, daycare, and busy city life. A recent piece from The Times of India highlights common parenting missteps that leave children more prone to infections. Supported by global studies and echoed by Thai health professionals, the findings point to practical steps families can adopt to protect kids—grounded in science and everyday sense.

In Thailand, urban living, academic pressures, and packed schedules amplify this concern. Preventable illnesses disrupt families, strain schools, and add pressure to public health resources. By understanding everyday behaviors that contribute to frequent illness, Thai families can take targeted action and inform policymakers on stronger child health strategies nationwide.

Frequent childhood illnesses are a common concern for Thai parents, especially those navigating the demands of school, day care, and modern city living. A recent article from The Times of India (“10 mistakes that cause children to fall ill frequently” timesofindia.indiatimes.com) summarizes research-backed parenting missteps that leave children vulnerable to infections. These findings, supported by international studies and echoed by health experts in Thailand, highlight crucial yet manageable steps for local families to safeguard children’s health—steps rooted in both science and everyday common sense.

Everyday actions shape not just love, but the resilience of Thai families facing modern pressures. A recent feature by a psychology expert highlights micro-behaviors—tiny, often overlooked acts—that strengthen connection and endure stress. For a Thai audience, these insights translate into practical steps that fit local values and daily life.

In Thailand, grand gestures grab attention, but lasting bonds hinge on daily exchanges. How we ask questions, manage emotions, and acknowledge a partner’s growth sets the tone for harmony. Thai culture values family cohesion, indirect communication, and emotional self-control, making these micro-behaviors especially relevant as society changes. Steady relationship skills help couples blend tradition with transformation.

In today’s fast-paced world, relationships are often tested by the pressures of daily life, misunderstandings, and the ever-evolving nature of personal growth. A new article by psychologist Mark Travers, published on Forbes on July 19, 2025, spotlights the profound influence of “micro-behaviors”—tiny, often-overlooked actions that hold the power to transform how couples connect and thrive over time. These seemingly simple habits, backed by compelling research, could represent the building blocks for happier, more enduring partnerships, with important implications for Thai families and couples striving for harmony.

Taiwan’s understated yet formidable rise in the global semiconductor industry is drawing international attention, as highlighted by recent coverage describing the island as Asia’s “secret Silicon island” (The Economist). This burgeoning reputation not only showcases Taiwan’s technical prowess but also signals significant implications for technology, education, and economics across the Asia-Pacific region—including Thailand.

The designation of Taiwan as a “secret Silicon island” underscores its status as the world’s most important center for advanced computer chip manufacturing. At the heart of this are homegrown giants such as TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), whose chips are indispensable for everything from smartphones and computers to cars and AI applications. In fact, TSMC controls more than half of the global semiconductor foundry market, producing chips for major international technology companies (Statista). While Silicon Valley in California has long served as the symbol of technological innovation, experts now acknowledge that Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor fabrication puts it at the forefront of the global tech supply chain—a fact that remains underappreciated by much of the world.

Taiwan’s rise as a global semiconductor hub is drawing attention as a model for technology, education, and economic growth across Asia, including Thailand. Known for cutting-edge chip fabrication, Taiwan centers on homegrown leaders like TSMC, which supplies components for smartphones, computers, cars, and AI systems. Industry analyses show TSMC holds a dominant share of the global foundry market, underscoring Taiwan’s pivotal role in the tech supply chain.

For Thai readers, Taiwan’s ascent offers clear lessons. A strong focus on research, engineering skills, and heavy investment in higher education has created a steady talent pipeline. Partnerships between universities and industry provide students with practical experience, helping ensure a steady flow of skilled engineers. This model offers a contrast to ongoing efforts in Thailand to strengthen STEM education and deepen industry–university collaboration.

A growing body of psychology suggests personality is not fixed for adults. With deliberate effort, Thais can reshape traits to boost mental health, improve social connections, and increase daily happiness. A recent CBS News piece highlights a journalist who transformed her life by expanding beyond her comfort zone, illustrating how science supports intentional change.

The case follows Olga Khazan, a journalist who wrestled with social anxiety and high neuroticism for years. Conventional therapies, medications, and yoga offered limited relief. She then conducted a year-long personal experiment to modify ingrained habits and traits. Her approach combined conversation classes, journaling, and improv comedy, pushing her beyond comfort until new behaviors felt natural. The narrative resonates with both contemporary self-improvement movements and Buddhist ideas about self-cultivation.

A recent study reveals that nearly three-quarters of American teenagers have experimented with AI tools—apps and chatbots that simulate conversation—for flirting, seeking advice, or simply chatting about life. Yet most still prefer real-life friendships and face-to-face interactions. The findings, from Common Sense Media, offer timely lessons for Thai educators, parents, and policymakers as digital platforms become more embedded in youth culture worldwide.

In Thailand, LINE chatbots, gaming companions, and social-media AIs are increasingly common among young people. Understanding how AI companions shape social habits, risks, and preferences abroad can help anticipate similar dynamics at home and inform protective responses for youth wellbeing. The study looked at AI companions such as CHAI, Character.AI, Nomi, and Replika—designed for casual conversation, emotional support, and role-play. More than half of teens surveyed use digital friends at least a few times a month, mainly for entertainment and curiosity. Yet many still value human connections as more meaningful and satisfying.

A groundbreaking new report by the World Health Organization has revealed an alarming truth: loneliness is claiming lives at a rate of roughly 100 people every hour—outpacing some of the world’s deadliest diseases and amounting to more than 871,000 deaths per year globally. Despite living in the most connected era in human history, the persistent reality of social isolation has emerged as a severe threat to physical and mental health on a global scale, an issue that resonates deeply for Thai society grappling with rapid digital change and demographic shifts.

A major policy update in New Zealand will raise in-study work hours for international students from 20 to 25 per week, starting November 3, 2025. The change is part of the International Education: Going for Growth Plan, designed to attract more overseas learners, including Thai students seeking financial support and practical work experience during study.

The move reflects evolving global education dynamics. With rising visa costs and tighter access in traditional destinations, New Zealand’s flexible approach strengthens its appeal for Thai families weighing overseas study options. The easier access to part-time work, combined with English-language instruction and a high quality of life, makes New Zealand a practical choice for many Thai students.

In a move set to reshape international education choices, New Zealand’s government has announced a significant easing of work restrictions for foreign students, raising the limit on in-study work hours from 20 to 25 per week starting November 3, 2025. The policy change is a central feature of the country’s newly launched International Education: Going for Growth Plan and is expected to enhance the nation’s appeal to overseas learners, including a rising number of Thai students seeking international experience and supplementary income while studying (NDTV).

A recent feature identifies eight common parenting habits that can quietly undermine a child’s confidence, even when parents mean well. Experts say everyday choices shape self-esteem, school performance, and resilience for years. For Thai families navigating rapid social and educational change, adopting supportive, evidence-based approaches matters more than ever.

Why this matters in Thailand: Self-confidence affects how children handle academic challenges, peer interactions, and mental well-being. As Thai society blends traditional values with modern parenting ideas, recognizing subtle pressure points helps caregivers foster a healthier sense of self-worth.

A recent report by the Times of India highlights eight common parenting habits that, while often rooted in good intentions, may actually erode a child’s confidence and self-esteem. This revelation has stirred renewed discussion among child development experts and parents globally, including in Thailand, about the importance of nurturing children’s sense of self-belief through supportive parenting approaches.

Understanding why this issue matters is essential for Thai families in a rapidly changing social and educational landscape. Children’s self-confidence not only influences their academic and social performance but also shapes their lifelong mental health and resilience. As Thai society increasingly embraces both traditional values and modern childrearing philosophies, recognizing the subtle ways parents can unintentionally harm their children’s confidence has taken on greater urgency.

A World Health Organization assessment shows loneliness claims about 100 lives every hour, totaling more than 871,000 deaths each year worldwide. In a hyper-connected era, social isolation remains a clear threat to both physical and mental health. The issue resonates in Thai society as the country undergoes rapid digital change and shifting demographics.

Loneliness, as defined by the WHO’s 2025 report, is the distress that occurs when social relationships do not meet a person’s desired level of connection. It is distinct from mere social isolation. Online interactions do not always translate into meaningful, supportive relationships. Persisting loneliness heightens the risk of depression and is linked to higher rates of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and earlier death, according to the report.

A new study reframes well-being beyond happiness and meaning by introducing psychological richness as a third path. This concept centers on curiosity, variety, and challenging experiences that shift how we see the world, even if they aren’t overtly joyful or purposeful. The idea is drawing global attention and offers fresh angles for Thais seeking personal growth in a fast-changing society.

Traditionally, well-being has been described as hedonic happiness (pleasure) and eudaimonic meaning (purpose). Researchers from a leading Bangkok-area university and a major U.S. institution argue that psychological richness fills an important gap. A Bangkok-area psychologist involved in the work notes that experiences which push our thinking—without necessarily being pleasant—can be transformative. The work, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, defines psychological richness as a life filled with diverse experiences that shift perspective. Even everyday moments, such as reading a powerful book, listening to emotionally moving music, or engaging with a new culture, can contribute to richness.

Self-awareness can drive growth and social harmony, but excessive introspection may backfire. In Thailand’s fast-paced, comparison-driven landscape, experts ask whether too much self-focus harms well-being.

Self-awareness means recognizing one’s character, feelings, motives, and desires. It is valued in education and leadership, and Thai culture—rooted in Buddhist mindfulness—emphasizes understanding oneself to make mindful choices and nurture harmonious relationships. New findings add nuance for students, teachers, and health professionals in Thailand and beyond.

A viral trend called “I Grieve Different” has surged across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, prompting Thai families to consider how social media shapes teen mental health. Experts say the trend can provide a space for young people to express grief, but it also risks normalizing unhealthy behaviors if not approached with care.

The movement traces its origins to Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 track United in Grief, yet it now spans much more than music. Across Thailand and beyond, youths post stylized videos about personal loss, body image pressures, anxiety, and relationships with food or exercise. The core message is that grief is a personal experience, sometimes misunderstood by others. Mental health concerns are rising globally, including in Thailand, where adolescents report increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health shows growing mental health challenges among young people, underscoring the need for informed discussion and support.

A groundbreaking new study challenges the centuries-old understanding of what it means to live well, suggesting that happiness and meaning are not the only pillars of the “good life.” Instead, researchers have introduced a third dimension—psychological richness—centering on curiosity, variety, and the kind of challenging experiences that transform one’s perspective, even if they are neither pleasurable nor overtly meaningful. This innovative “third path” is now receiving international attention, and its implications resonate deeply with Thai readers seeking new ways to define personal fulfillment in a rapidly changing world.

A large international study suggests that improving daily stress coping over nearly 20 years is linked to becoming more outgoing, agreeable, and open to new experiences. Conversely, individuals who struggle with everyday stress may grow more withdrawn and hesitant to try new things. For Thai readers, these findings offer a practical path to better mental health amid rapid work and social changes.

The Thai experience mirrors global trends. Urban pressures, academic demands, and family responsibilities contribute to rising anxiety among adults and students. The study, published in Psychology and Aging, is among the most extensive examinations of how daily stress handling relates to personality over time. Data from more than 2,000 participants show that stronger stress-regulation skills accompany increases in sociability and openness, while declining coping correlates with withdrawal.

A major new study has found that individuals who improve their ability to handle daily stress tend to become more extroverted, agreeable, and open to new experiences over nearly two decades—a discovery with important implications for mental health and personal growth across Thailand. Conversely, the research shows that those struggling to manage stressors gradually become more introverted, unfriendly, and closed off to new experiences, highlighting stress management as a crucial catalyst for positive personality change.

Recent research suggests that while self-awareness is widely celebrated as a key to personal growth and social success, there can be a downside to being overly focused on oneself—a phenomenon increasingly relevant in today’s hyperconnected and comparison-driven world. Psychologists and neuroscientists are now grappling with the question: Can you be too self-aware for your own good?

Self-awareness, defined as the capacity to consciously recognize one’s character, feelings, motives, and desires, has long been prized, especially in education and leadership circles. Thai culture, rooted in Buddhist principles of mindfulness and self-reflection, places a similar value on understanding oneself. The expectation is that this awareness leads to more mindful choices and harmonious relationships. But the latest scientific findings, covered by research in the fields of psychology and cognitive neuroscience, point to more nuanced effects—raising important considerations for individuals, educators, and mental health professionals in Thailand and globally.

A viral social media trend known as “I Grieve Different” is captivating young audiences across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, raising both alarm and hope among mental health professionals and educators. While the trend offers young people a space to explore their feelings of loss and struggle, it has also sparked fresh concern among experts about whether social media is fueling unhealthy behaviors and distorting the realities of mental health—especially among teens. For Thai families navigating the digital era, understanding the impact of such trends has never been more important.

After a school day, many Thai children shift from calm to distress at home. Crying, shouting, or tantrums can erupt with surprising intensity, leaving parents puzzled. New international findings, supported by Thai health experts, explain why these moments—often called after-school restraint collapse—happen and how families can respond more effectively.

Parents, teachers, and researchers are increasingly discussing this pattern. It reflects how children regulate emotions in a demanding world. In Thailand, where academic pressures and busy schedules are common, understanding this pattern can strengthen family bonds and resilience.