#ThaiCulture

The long-standing rivalry between siblings has taken a new turn as recent research shines a spotlight on a surprising “villain” within Thai and global families—the older brother. A large-scale study from the University of Warwick suggests that birth order does matter, with older brothers more likely to become the family aggressors, especially when it comes to bullying their younger siblings. This revelation not only disrupts traditional assumptions about sibling dynamics but also raises important questions about long-term well-being, family culture, and childhood development in Thailand.

A global debate about parenting tactics is resurfacing in Thailand, focusing on the common use of white lies to encourage good behavior. Experts say these fibs are widely used in Thai families as well as in many Western households, but questions are growing about their long-term effects on trust, honesty, and moral development.

These tellings — such as suggesting Santa Claus only visits after homework is finished or that the TV will break if watched during dinner — are often framed as harmless, practical tools. They can defuse conflicts in the moment and help set boundaries. Yet research suggests the approach may have unintended consequences as children grow older, influencing how they view truth and authority. In Thai communities, where family harmony and face-saving are valued, such tactics have deep cultural roots and are sometimes passed down through folk stories and traditional teachings. Data from international research indicates that frequent use of white lies can erode trust over time and shape a child’s attitudes toward honesty.

New research highlights squats as more than a fitness trend. For Thai readers, the movement connects deeply with daily life—from ground-level dining and rice-field work to traditional squat toilets. While modern office life has reduced our time in this position, experts say reintegrating mindful squatting can support mobility, balance, and independence across the lifespan.

Squatting is a natural resting posture in many Asian communities, where floor-based living remains common. For young Thais, sitting cross-legged and squatting are still seen in rural areas, markets, and temples. In Western countries, these postures are rarer outside gyms, which may contribute to tighter ankles, knees, and hips over time. Health professionals note that prolonged chair-sitting has narrowed ranges of motion and may affect lifelong joint health.

Recent research into the simple act of squatting suggests that this time-honored movement, still common in many Asian cultures and among Thai people, may hold significant benefits for health, mobility, and even longevity, though not without some caveats. The conversation around squatting recently resurfaced in global media, highlighting its cultural roots in Asia and Eastern Europe, and the fact that many people in developed Western countries have lost the ability to comfortably rest in this position due to modern lifestyles dominated by chairs and sedentary workspaces. So, should we all be squatting more, and if so, how can Thais best apply the latest scientific findings to their daily routines?

A personal account published in EatingWell documents the impact of a strict no-added-sugar, anti-inflammatory meal plan for one week. The author, who usually enjoys daily sweets, cut added sugars and centered meals on whole, nutrient-rich ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and leafy greens. She reports higher energy, reduced food anxiety, and a renewed mindfulness around eating.

For Thailand, this topic arrives at a moment when chronic diseases—especially diabetes, heart disease, and obesity—are major health concerns. Thai cuisine is rich in anti-inflammatory herbs and fresh produce, yet modern diets with processed foods and added sugars are rising. Understanding how anti-inflammatory, low-sugar eating works is important not just for individuals but for the health system as well.

New research is reshaping how Thai families think about sibling dynamics. A large-scale study from the University of Warwick indicates that birth order matters more than many thought, with older brothers more likely to be the aggressors toward younger siblings. The finding challenges long-held assumptions about family harmony and raises important questions for Thai childhood development, education, and mental health.

Sibling rivalry is a universal theme, but its expressions are deeply shaped by culture. In Thailand, the elder son often carries traditional responsibilities, including guidance of younger siblings and care for aging parents. These expectations can influence behavior and emotional dynamics at home. The latest study adds nuance to this picture, suggesting that the eldest brother’s role can include a troubling tendency toward bullying, especially in larger families.

New findings underscore that sleep is not equal across its stages. Deep sleep and REM sleep are emerging as vital protectors of brain health, with important implications for dementia risk and cognitive aging. The latest insights, highlighted in a major national publication, show that the quality and stages of sleep matter as much as total hours slept.

For Thais facing rising sleep problems—from urban insomnia to undiagnosed sleep apnea—understanding how different sleep stages affect the brain has practical meaning. The link between insufficient restorative sleep and higher dementia risk adds urgency to an issue often overshadowed by daily stress and nightlife culture.

A wave of recent scientific findings underscores that not all sleep is created equal—deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are emerging as key guardians of brain health, with profound implications for dementia risk and cognitive aging. The latest research, recently highlighted in a New York Times report, confirms that beyond simply getting enough hours of sleep, the specific quality and stages of sleep matter deeply for long-term mental wellbeing (NY Times, 2025).

In an age where busy schedules and digital distractions are the norm, a rising number of millennial parents are embracing the concept of the “kitchen table family”—a household practice in which family members consistently gather to share meals and meaningful conversations away from screens and outside pressures. This renewed intention to carve out daily or weekly moments of togetherness, highlighted in a recent POPSUGAR feature, is being lauded by mental health experts as a simple but effective way to strengthen family bonds and foster emotional well-being, especially among children.

A growing number of millennial parents are reviving the idea of a kitchen table family—daily or weekly gatherings where meals and conversations happen away from screens. Mental health experts praise this simple practice as a powerful way to strengthen family bonds and support children’s emotional well-being.

The kitchen table symbolize an intentional space where every member, young or old, feels seen and heard. An adolescent mental health clinician notes that families who eat together regularly tend to have stronger relationships, clearer communication, and healthier coping strategies. These rituals go beyond food; they provide a dependable rhythm of connection and stability for children.

New research is redefining how birth order—being firstborn, middle, youngest, or an only child—affects health, not just personality. For Thai families, these findings matter as family structures shift, parental roles evolve, and conversations about mental health gain prominence. The debate in Thai households about elder siblings’ maturity or middle-child dynamics now sits alongside rigorous science about childhood immune development, anxiety and depression risk, and obesity.

Experts say birth order effects are complex and layered. Health insights consider personality, coping strategies, and stress management shaped by position in the family. A 2024 Epic Research study highlights notable trends: firstborns show higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with their younger siblings, while only children and last-borns appear more prone to childhood obesity. Meanwhile, middle and younger children may experience stronger immune responses, a pattern linked to early-life exposure to germs and the so-called hygiene hypothesis. These findings hold potential relevance for Thai parents navigating smaller family sizes and evolving mental health awareness.

A wave of new research is shedding light on the intriguing ways that your birth order—whether you’re a firstborn, middle child, youngest, or only child—can impact not just your personality, but also your risks for certain mental and physical health conditions. The longstanding folk wisdom about eldest siblings being responsible, middle children overlooked, and youngest siblings more carefree has some scientific roots—but the picture is far more complex, with direct relevance for families in Thailand and around the world.

A groundbreaking new study from University of Missouri-Columbia reveals that exercise can safeguard memory and cognitive performance—even when the brain is deprived of one of its essential fuel sources, ketones. This insight not only reinforces the crucial role of physical activity in brain health, especially amid rising rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia, but also provides hope for individuals with liver conditions that compromise energy production for cognitive functions. As Thailand faces its own growing elderly population and associated dementia risks, these findings are especially timely and relevant.

A new study from the University of Missouri–Columbia shows that regular physical activity can shield memory and cognitive performance even when the brain lacks one key fuel source: ketones produced by the liver. This finding reinforces the importance of exercise for brain health, especially as Alzheimer’s and dementia risk rises. It also offers hope for people with liver conditions that hamper energy production for thinking. For Thailand’s aging population, the results feel especially relevant.

A new study highlights gut bacteria as a potential driver behind the global rise in colorectal cancer among people under 50. The research suggests that imbalances in the gut microbiome can damage the colon lining, trigger chronic inflammation, and increase cancer risk long before middle age. For Thailand, where dietary habits and antibiotic use are evolving rapidly, these findings emphasize the importance of gut health in cancer prevention.

Colon cancer is increasingly diagnosed in younger adults in both Western countries and Thailand. Thailand’s public health data show a steady uptick in colorectal cancer among individuals under 50 over the past decade, echoing a global pattern that has concerned researchers and policymakers. While genetics and lifestyle factors like inactivity, obesity, and processed-food diets contribute to risk, scientists are now focusing on the gut’s biological environment as a key factor.

As exam season intensifies in Thai schools, families look for practical ways to support students under growing pressure. A recent neuroscientific perspective highlighted by a leading expert in The Times offers evidence-based strategies for caregivers to ease children’s stress during high-stakes tests, with clear relevance for Thailand’s national exams and university entrance assessments.

Thai students often face anxiety, sleep difficulties, and self-doubt during rigorous testing periods. Behavioral science suggests that supportive parenting can reduce both physiological and psychological stress responses, even when exam demands feel overwhelming.

A growing body of research, highlighted in a new report by NPR, reveals that retraining your brain to crave movement instead of scrolling social media is possible—and may be essential for long-term mental and physical health. This article, based on insights from clinical psychologist and movement specialist authors of the book “I Know I Should Exercise But…”, dives into their latest recommendations for breaking the scrolling cycle and embracing more active habits—a message with powerful implications for Thais grappling with lifestyle changes in the digital era (NPR, 2025).

A new study shows that people with narcissistic traits are more likely to feel left out in social settings and to misread others’ signals. Reported by PsyPost, the findings highlight how narcissistic tendencies shape interpersonal relationships and carry implications for how Thai society navigates mental health and social complexity.

In Thailand, cultural norms such as kreng jai—consideration for others and avoidance of confrontation—can complicate open communication. The research suggests that narcissistic individuals may feel ostracized or slighted even when others do not intend harm, partly due to misinterpreting ambiguous social cues. This pattern could amplify social isolation and heighten the risk of conflict in schools, workplaces, and family life.

As the intensity of exam season ramps up in Thailand’s schools, families across the country find themselves searching for ways to support students under mounting pressure. Recent neuroscientific research, as discussed in a widely circulated article by a prominent neuroscientist in The Times, provides fresh insights into how caregivers can help children handle academic stress, with implications that resonate powerfully for Thai households navigating national exams and university entrance tests source.

For many runners and fitness enthusiasts in Thailand, shin splints remain a stubborn and painful obstacle. Now, new insight from kinesiologists sheds light on targeted exercises that can not only alleviate the discomfort of shin splints but also help prevent their recurrence, offering hope for those who struggle with this common overuse injury. This development promises to make running and high-impact sports safer and more accessible, benefiting not just athletes but anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle.

A new investigation into the factors driving a troubling worldwide increase in colon cancer among young adults points to damage caused by certain gut bacteria as a potential culprit, according to recently reported research. The findings, which come amid mounting concern about the sharp rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under 50, highlight the possible role of the gut microbiome—a bustling ecosystem of trillions of organisms living in the digestive tract—in influencing cancer risk well before middle age. The research underscores an urgent need for both the medical community and the wider public in Thailand to consider how diet, antibiotics, and lifestyle choices may impact long-term gut health and, consequently, cancer prevention.

A recent research investigation has uncovered that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are significantly more likely to perceive themselves as excluded in social situations and to misread the cues of those around them. These findings, highlighted in a report published by PsyPost, shed new light on the challenges faced by narcissistic individuals in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships, with meaningful implications for modern Thai society as it navigates increasing social complexity and mental health awareness.

A growing body of research suggests that the brain can be retrained to crave movement instead of endless scrolling. In a new briefing inspired by experts who co-authored a book on exercise motivation, scientists outline practical strategies to break the scrolling cycle and embrace more active habits. For Thai readers, these insights offer a timely blueprint as digital habits grip daily life in urban centers.

In today’s fast-paced environment, stress and fatigue push many toward phone use as a comforting distraction. Yet frequent screen time often leads to heightened anxiety, reduced physical activity, and mood dips. In Thailand, where many youths report long daily screen hours, these habits pose concerning health risks, including rising obesity and mental health challenges noted by health authorities and academic work.

Shin splints are a stubborn obstacle for many runners and fitness enthusiasts in Thailand. Fresh insights from kinesiologists point to targeted exercises that relieve pain and reduce the risk of recurrence, making running and other high-impact activities safer and more accessible for the Thai public.

Medial tibial stress syndrome, the medical term for shin splints, affects runners, dancers, and military recruits. In Thailand, where recreational running has surged, both beginners and seasoned athletes still confront shin splint pain along the inner edge of the shinbone. Repetitive stress with insufficient recovery often triggers the discomfort, threatening participation and long-term injury if ignored.