#ThaiSociety

Despite following every productivity guide, adopting the healthiest diet, and striving for perfection, an increasing number of Thais and people worldwide finish each day feeling like they have fallen short. This unsettling phenomenon—of ticking all the boxes yet still feeling unsuccessful—is now being dissected by new research and expert opinion, revealing that the root causes often run deeper than lack of effort or discipline. According to a recent article published by VegOut Magazine on July 21, 2025, the answer lies not in what people are doing, but in how they measure their progress and the expectations they set for themselves (VegOut Magazine).

A groundbreaking global study has upended long-held beliefs about the true drivers of the obesity epidemic, finding that overeating—particularly of ultra-processed foods—is about ten times more responsible for rising obesity rates than a lack of exercise. This revelation carries profound implications for Thailand, where rates of overweight and obesity are increasing alongside rapid urbanisation and changing dietary patterns.

For decades, both Thai and international health authorities have emphasised the importance of physical activity in tackling obesity, broadcast through nationwide campaigns and initiatives. The popular narrative has been that sedentary lifestyles, especially in urban areas like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, are to blame for waistlines expanding. Yet, new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests this perspective may miss the mark. Based on an analysis of over 4,000 adults from 34 nations—including hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania, herder-farmers in Siberia, and executives in Norway—researchers found that people across cultural and economic backgrounds actually burn roughly the same amount of calories per day, regardless of whether their lives are active or sedentary (Washington Post).

The number of students skipping school due to emotional distress—termed emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)—has soared in recent years, raising alarms among educators, healthcare professionals, and parents worldwide. Recent research from the UK highlights a five-fold increase in children missing more than half of their school days over the past decade, with experts pointing to the lingering repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic as a key factor driving this concerning trend (BBC News).

A new study reveals that nearly 75% of American teenagers have experimented with artificial intelligence (AI) tools—apps and chatbots designed to simulate conversation—for flirting, seeking advice, or chatting about life. Yet, despite AI’s growing role in adolescent lives, the majority still prefer real-life friendships and face-to-face interactions, according to research released Wednesday by Common Sense Media, a leading child-advocacy nonprofit NPR.

This revelation holds particular significance for Thai educators, parents, and policy-makers as social technology and AI-integrated apps become more embedded in youth culture worldwide. As Thai teens increasingly engage with digital platforms, understanding the social patterns, risks, and preferences illuminated by U.S. findings can help anticipate similar trends in Thailand—and shape timely response strategies.

Recent research is making waves in the mental health and urban planning communities: people who live near nature and greenspaces experience a staggering 60% reduction in mental health problems compared to those in less green environments. This new finding, reported by Earth.com, underscores the profound influence of natural surroundings on our collective psychological well-being, drawing renewed attention to the role urban design plays in public health (Earth.com).

For urban residents across the world—including those squeezed into the high-rise concrete jungle of Bangkok—these findings offer both hope and a call to action. Bangkok, where access to lush public parks can be limited, faces growing mental health challenges as societal pressures and digital lifestyles keep more Thais indoors and on screens. Understanding the protective effects of greener environments could chart a new course for the nation’s approach to city planning, public health, and the evolution of Thai urban life.

New research published in July 2025 has found that voluntary celibacy—choosing to abstain from sexual activity for personal, cultural, or psychological reasons—has become notably common, especially among women. The study, highlighted by Psychology Today, offers a fresh look at shifting sexual behaviors and attitudes in contemporary society.

Celibacy is often assumed to be rare in the age of dating apps and sex-positivity movements, but the new findings challenge this stereotype. In recent years, changes in societal values, evolving gender dynamics, and personal considerations about health and well-being have contributed to a marked increase in voluntary sexual abstention, particularly among women. The implications stretch beyond individual choices, touching on issues ranging from mental health to relationship expectations in Thailand and around the world.

A new wave of fatherhood is challenging old stereotypes—yet for many men, the struggle against inherited patterns of anger remains deeply personal. Recent guidance from therapists and parenting specialists, as reported in a widely circulated HuffPost feature, reveals practical strategies to help fathers avoid becoming the “angry dad,” even if that was the model they grew up with. This latest spotlight is highly relevant to modern Thai society, where intergenerational parenting influences and evolving gender roles are increasingly discussed, but rarely so frankly on the subject of paternal emotional health.

Global pop icon Rihanna has spoken candidly about how the legacy of her late father has fundamentally shaped her approach to raising her young children, offering insight into the profound influence familial bonds and childhood experiences have on parenting decisions. The singer, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be mother of three shared that her father’s recent passing in May at age 70 not only marked an emotional chapter in her life but also sparked reflection on the values she seeks to pass down to her sons—RZA, age three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky.

The oft-repeated career advice to “follow your passion” may sound uplifting, but mounting research reveals it can actually set people up for disappointment, inflexibility, and even economic hardship. As this philosophy saturates commencement speeches, motivational seminars, and social media, a growing group of psychologists and workplace researchers are urging a deeper, more practical approach to career fulfillment—especially for those in Thailand navigating education and job markets shaped by rapid technological change and economic uncertainty.

The lines between extroversion and introversion are rarely clear-cut, according to the latest psychological research and expert commentary published in HuffPost’s “6 Signs That You Might Be An Extroverted Introvert” (HuffPost). As many Thais return to office life, social gatherings, and family reunions post-pandemic, the nuances of how we relate to others—and ourselves—have never felt more important. In a society known for its “kreng jai” culture (consideration for others and social harmony), understanding one’s place on the introvert-extrovert spectrum could be the key to better mental health and more harmonious relationships, both at home and work.

As the long Thai school holidays approach, a wave of questions arises about the way parents handle everyday misbehavior in young children. A recent discussion ignited by the article “Why shouldn’t we call children ‘naughty’?” from The Spectator challenges the conventional wisdom of using labels like “naughty” to describe children’s bad behavior. The apparent simplicity of the term belies its potential to shape a child’s developing sense of self and influence the way children respond to authority, discipline, and emotional challenges—not just in Western societies but also within Thai families adjusting to modern parenting philosophies.

Early-life exercise may not extend the number of years one lives, but new research shows it can deliver a longer, healthier life—at least in mice. A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications in July 2025 has revealed that regular exercise in youth substantially improves health markers and delays age-related decline, but does not significantly increase overall lifespan in mice. These findings highlight the critical importance of building active habits early in life to maximize the quality of health in later years—a message with profound relevance for Thai families, educators, and health policymakers.

A new meta-analysis has shed light on the complex links between hormonal activity and psychopathic tendencies, raising the prospect of more nuanced approaches to identifying and supporting at-risk youth. The study, published in Psychology & Neuroscience, draws on 25 years of worldwide research and upends some previous assumptions about the biology of personality disorders, with potential implications for prevention and mental health services in Thailand and beyond (psypost.org).

At its core, the research reviewed studies examining the role of endocrine system hormones—such as cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, oxytocin, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)—in the development of psychopathic traits, especially during the sensitive years of adolescence and early adulthood. The strongest and most consistent finding was a statistically significant association between higher baseline levels of cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—and the impulsive, antisocial dimension of psychopathy.

People with biologically “young” brains can expect to outlive their peers with “old” brains, according to groundbreaking research released by Stanford Medicine. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine on July 9, offers the most comprehensive evidence to date that the biological age of individual organs—especially the brain—is a powerful predictor of health outcomes and lifespan. This discovery opens new possibilities for early intervention and preventive medicine, potentially transforming how Thais approach aging-related diseases such as dementia and heart disease.

A recent feature on a 96-year-old woman’s fulfilling daily life, combined with insights from leading aging experts, is shedding new light on what it takes to live longer—and more importantly, to live well. The article, published on July 9, 2025, by CNN, highlights the importance of purpose-driven living, continuous mental stimulation, adaptable habits, and strong social networks, arguing that these factors are just as critical to healthy aging as nutrition and exercise. For Thai readers navigating a rapidly greying society, these findings resonate deeply and offer practical strategies to combat loneliness and extend quality of life in later years.

A recent study published in The Journal of Social Psychology has revealed a provocative link between national narcissism and emotional impairments, echoing global worries about rising divisiveness and prejudice. Individuals exhibiting high national narcissism—an extreme form of national pride characterized by a hunger for recognition and hypersensitivity to criticism—show diminished ability to understand both their own and others’ emotions. The research also connects these emotional deficits to increased tendencies toward dehumanization, affecting perceptions of both outsiders and fellow citizens within their own nation (PsyPost).

Malaysia has been named the happiest country in Asia, a development that has caught the attention of not only regional policymakers but also retailers across the continent. The findings, as highlighted in a report by The Robin Report, signal promising opportunities for businesses and suggest pathways for other countries, including Thailand, to boost well-being and consumer confidence within their borders (therobinreport.com).

The announcement is particularly significant for Thailand, a nation striving to balance post-pandemic economic recovery with quality-of-life improvements. With happiness increasingly linked to economic vitality and retail growth, Malaysia’s status offers a compelling case study in how consumer sentiment shapes spending patterns, community engagement, and national development.

A new psychological study has found that feelings of loneliness lead to a significant rise in television viewing among older women, but not among their male counterparts — a finding that may help clarify gender differences in coping mechanisms during aging. The insight, most recently highlighted and discussed by PsyPost, resonates particularly as Thailand faces the challenges of a rapidly aging population and shifting family structures PsyPost Report.

As Thai society transitions to an “aging society”, with the proportion of people aged 60 and above set to comprise 30% of the population by 2035 according to the National Statistical Office of Thailand, understanding the differing ways in which older adults manage loneliness is crucial. The latest research puts a spotlight on the unique vulnerabilities experienced by older women, who are more likely to live alone due to greater life expectancies and often face reduced social support, especially in urban environments where extended family living arrangements are declining National Statistical Office and Bangkok Post coverage.

Recent insights from leading experts are shaking up long-held assumptions about the roots of youth delinquency, emphasizing that parental influence—while crucial—is not the sole factor determining whether children turn to crime. At a parent support meeting hosted by the Ammar Empowerment Network, a management professor from the University of the West Indies argued that society is too quick to blame parents for their children’s misdeeds, overlooking the complex interplay of environment, peer influence, and broader social context (“Parents ‘not always at fault’”, Nation News, July 2025).

A recent wave of parental discussion has emerged following a widely read advice column in Slate, in which a parent described the unsettling discovery that their teenage child had stolen a personal, “intimate” item from them. The incident, and the conflicting parental responses it generated, spotlight crucial questions at the intersection of adolescent development, privacy, consent, and healthy family communication—challenges familiar to Thai families navigating modern parenting.

In the Slate column, the parent expressed shock and discomfort upon learning that their adolescent had taken a deeply personal object. The parent’s spouse, in contrast, urged a more hands-off approach, advocating for letting the incident pass without confrontation. This difference in parental perspective mirrors a broader debate occurring in homes worldwide about how best to respond when boundaries are crossed within the family, especially as children move into the often confusing terrain of adolescence (Slate).

A landmark study has shattered the myth that hours in the gym are necessary for effective muscle growth, revealing that only thirty minutes of targeted resistance training twice a week is enough for significant results. This breakthrough comes from an eight-week clinical trial led by an exercise scientist at Lehman College and published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, offering new hope to time-starved Thais eager to improve their health without upending busy schedules (Earth.com).

A new wave of research and storytelling is challenging longstanding perceptions of what it means to be a father in 21st-century Thailand, as highlighted by the recently launched book “Modern Fatherhood.” Drawing on the lived experiences of diverse fathers across Asia, the publication captures the evolving landscape of paternity, masculinity, and emotional connection—issues gaining traction in Thai society as traditional gender roles shift and families confront new realities.

For generations, Thai fathers were commonly expected to act as primary breadwinners and authority figures, often keeping emotional distance from their children. But as socioeconomic pressures and cultural influences change, fathers in urban and rural Thailand are increasingly reimagining their roles to include active caregiving, emotional vulnerability, and deeper engagement in their children’s lives. This trend parallels similar transformations in other parts of Asia, brought into the spotlight by the narratives compiled in “Modern Fatherhood,” published by Assouline and covered recently by Tatler Asia.

The personal experience recounted in a recent Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece—of an individual forced to sever ties with conservative, immigrant parents after coming out as LGBTQ+—is not only poignant but also, sadly, emblematic of a wider pattern documented by international and Thai research. As dialogue around LGBTQ+ acceptance grows more visible in public and family spheres, scientists are compiling evidence that family rejection sharply increases mental health risks, but that targeted interventions and rising social support can, over time, help break cycles of alienation and trauma.

Three years after breaking new ground as the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis, Thailand is now reining in its green ambitions amid a whirlwind of controversy, regulatory confusion, and social challenges. Effective from this week, new laws require Thais and tourists alike to have a doctor’s prescription to purchase cannabis, sharply curtailing the euphoric “green rush” that swept the nation and turned once-conservative streets into thriving hubs for weed enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. The abrupt policy turn aims to restore some order to a marijuana industry that, by many accounts, spun out faster than policymakers or the public could process, igniting national debate over its economic contributions, social costs, and the pathway forward.