#Executivefunction

A new study suggests that people who show ADHD traits experience boredom more readily because their brains struggle with regulating attention and keeping information in working memory. The findings, drawn from a series of cognitive tasks and self-report measures, indicate that the tendency toward boredom in ADHD-like individuals may be partly explained by core executive function weaknesses, especially sustained attention and interference control. The researchers say this work provides a clearer picture of the cognitive processes behind boredom and points to potential interventions that could help students stay engaged, a finding with clear relevance for Thailand’s education system where classroom focus can directly affect learning outcomes and family well-being.

A growing body of scientific research is turning conventional wisdom about chronic lateness on its head: for many, persistent tardiness is not merely a matter of laziness or poor manners but a symptom of an underlying mental health condition known as “time blindness.” The latest analyses from psychiatrists and neuroscientists suggest that time blindness—while not formally categorized in leading diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5—is a pervasive issue, disrupting lives, careers, and relationships worldwide, including here in Thailand.

Time blindness is gaining recognition as a genuine cognitive difference that affects everyday life. In Thailand, where punctuality is intertwined with respect and reliability, this condition can undermine work, study, and family routines. Time blindness involves difficulty estimating and tracking time, and it often coexists with ADHD, autism, and mood conditions. While not listed in DSM-5, experts say the challenge is real and measurable, influencing employability and daily functioning.

Thai culture places a premium on being on time. For people with time blindness, arriving punctually can feel like an ongoing struggle. Neuroscience points to differences in executive functions, especially the prefrontal cortex, which guides planning and time management. Mental health professionals emphasize that time blindness is not intentional noncompliance but a cognitive difference that affects performance at work and school.

A newly published analysis in The Economist revisits the decades-long debate on whether being bilingual actually benefits the brain, challenging long-held assumptions while highlighting persistent scientific uncertainty. With Thailand’s education system increasingly promoting English and Mandarin alongside Thai, the study’s findings carry particular weight for Thai families, educators, and policymakers contemplating the cognitive worth of learning an additional language.

For years, researchers have claimed that speaking two or more languages confers a host of cognitive advantages beyond mere linguistic prowess. In addition to opening doors to different cultural and professional opportunities, multilingualism has frequently been linked to improvements in “executive function”—an umbrella term covering skills like ignoring distractions, planning complex tasks, and adjusting one’s thinking as circumstances change. Widespread media coverage and popular science books have further fuelled the belief that bilingualism may even delay dementia, with some research suggesting bilinguals can experience the onset of dementia as much as four years later than monolinguals (The Economist).

A new analysis in The Economist revisits the long-standing question of whether bilingualism truly benefits the brain, and it cautions that the science remains uncertain. As Thailand expands English and Mandarin programmes alongside Thai, families, educators, and policymakers are paying close attention to what language learning actually delivers for cognitive health and learning outcomes.

For years, researchers have linked multilingualism to advantages beyond language—especially in executive function, which includes staying focused, planning tasks, and adapting to new rules. Media attention and popular science have bolstered the belief that bilingualism could delay dementia, with some studies suggesting bilinguals experience dementia onset several years later than monolingual peers. In Thailand, where many students enroll in English or Mandarin programmes and even trilingual international schools, residents have hoped language learning will sharpen thinking and problem-solving to drive the country’s development.