Research has revealed that the period of life when humans feel happiest is not childhood or adolescence, but the late forties. This challenges the assumption that happiness inevitably declines with age. Many people grew up believing that being in their twenties was the best time—in terms of energy, health, and happiness—but assumed contentment would decrease over time. However, recent studies paint a different picture and may reassure those anxious about entering middle age.

Foreign media reports cite a UK survey that collected data from around 2,000 participants and found that the age at which people felt they had the highest health and happiness levels was approximately 47 years old. This suggests that the best years of life may still be ahead, even after turning 40.

Why does the late forties become the peak of happiness?

This health organization study aimed to discover when people feel "best" in both body and mind. One key finding is that as people age, their perspective on health changes significantly. Health experts explain that older adults no longer view health as merely physical appearance, but as encompassing internal well-being, strength, and the ability to manage daily life effectively.

Additional factors that promote happiness in the 40+ age group include:

- Better self-understanding about one's body and knowing what to prioritize or avoid - Greater emphasis on health through proper eating, rest, and lifestyle choices - Reduction in risky behaviors such as heavy drinking or partying - Increased self-confidence and decreased concern about others' opinions

Shifting perspectives on what it means to be "old"

Another survey found that current generations view "old age" as beginning later than in the past, with an average of around 69 years compared to the previous belief that aging began in the early sixties. However, health experts warn that even though the definition of old age has been pushed back, many people still aren't seriously preparing for long-term health care. Building good habits should start now if you want to maintain strength and health in your sixties and seventies.

This research presents a new view of life: age 40 is not a period of decline as many believe, but rather the beginning of a more stable and happier phase in terms of mindset, self-care, and life satisfaction. It might truly be called the "golden years" of life.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Japan at 6:28 p.m. Japan time on May 2, 2025, with a maximum seismic intensity of 4 on the Japanese scale. The epicenter was located in Nara Prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometers. Tremors were felt across multiple areas of the Kansai region, including Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, and Osaka. No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake, though it caused significant alarm among tourists, as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Wakayama are all major tourist destinations in Japan. To date, there have been no reports of damage or injuries from the earthquake.

At approximately 10:30 AM on May 2, 2569, Sinchai Taetsomboon, a young man from Nakhon Ratchasima Province, reported to journalists that he had been craving freshwater crabs after seeing news reports of locals collecting them in large quantities following recent rains. He called his girlfriend Mesaa Charakklang and asked her to have his mother send crabs via the intercity bus service from Dan Khun Thot District to the first Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Bus Station, commonly known as the "old bus station."

After confirming the delivery time and location, Sinchai arrived at the station at 10:30 AM to collect the package, but found the crabs missing. He requested to review CCTV footage from the station and discovered that the 10-kilogram pot of crabs his mother had sent had been stolen. Security footage showed a man wearing a white or light green short-sleeved shirt, black shorts, and a dark gray helmet, riding a gray-black Honda Wave motorcycle with unknown license plates. The suspect parked behind an orange bus near a tour coach before walking toward the baggage claim area, then calmly rode away with his left hand holding the crab pot between his legs.

Sinchai expressed shock at the theft, saying he had never heard of crabs being stolen before. However, given the current economic hardship and high cost of living, he acknowledged that thieves likely hoped to either eat the crabs or sell them for profit, as freshwater crabs currently command premium prices of several hundred baht per kilogram. He lamented that despite his effort in arranging for the crabs to be sent so he could prepare a delicious meal, the entire pot was stolen.

On May 2, 2025, Deputy National Police Commander General Kornchai Klaokluang announced that the Royal Thai Police prioritizes ongoing care for officers injured in the line of duty under the 'Police Family: We Don't Abandon Our Own' program. The initiative is providing continuous assistance to Sergeant Major Kritsada Karun, a member of the 2nd Special Operations Company of the Counter-Terrorism Unit, who was seriously wounded in a shooting incident at Terminal 21 shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima on February 9, 2020.

General Kornchai has been personally visiting and providing encouragement since 2025 through the present, overseeing medical monitoring, healthcare expense coverage, and family welfare support to ensure the officer can live with dignity and improved quality of life. The program provides monthly financial assistance of 2,000 baht, along with coverage for a titanium skull replacement surgery costing 68,000 baht to relieve the family's financial burden.

Additionally, the police have installed extra air conditioning units at the officer's residence at the Police Aviation Division welfare quarters in Thonburi, Bangkok—completed on April 30, 2025—to maintain optimal cooling 24/7 and create a proper recovery environment. This comprehensive care reflects the National Police Office's commitment to long-term support for injured officers and their families, embodying the principle that 'the police family never abandons anyone' and aligns with Deputy Commander Kornchai's personal philosophy of never leaving anyone behind.

On May 2, 2025, authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima province reported progress following the arrest of three suspects: a municipal employee from Phothikhlang Subdistrict Municipality (a senior registration officer), a former district officer from Huai Thalaeng District, and a former staff member of Huai Thalaeng District Office. They are accused of conspiring to file false birth reports and issue fake birth certificates to Chinese and Myanmar nationals, with investigators now identifying over 50 victims.

Initial findings reveal the modus operandi of the Chinese trafficking gang, which recruited the former Huai Thalaeng district officer—who had served in multiple district offices throughout Nakhon Ratchasima—as the central operator. The former officer had access to central government credentials allowing him to access the national population registration system nationwide. The Chinese gang would place orders for him to complete three steps: fake marriage registration, fraudulent birth certificate creation, and securing a house address for household registration, paying him 30,000-50,000 baht per case.

The former officer would then coordinate with registration officers at district offices and municipalities who were his former colleagues or acquaintances, paying them 10,000-30,000 baht each to process the fake birth reports. Both the senior registration officer from Phothikhlang Subdistrict Municipality and the former registration staff from Huai Thalaeng District Office who were arrested had previously worked with the former district officer.

Further investigation by police, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Interior Ministry's task force also uncovered similar fake birth certificate registrations at Nong Phailoem Subdistrict Municipality in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima District, totaling 18 cases.

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a forecast for tomorrow warning of thunderstorms and strong winds expected to severely impact one region of the country, with specific provinces identified as at-risk areas. Temperatures are expected to remain extremely hot, with some areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. As of May 2, 2569, the Meteorological Department forecasts rising temperatures across northern Thailand over the next 24 hours, with hot daytime conditions and extremely hot weather in certain northern areas. However, thunderstorms and strong wind gusts are still possible in some locations due to a thermal low-pressure system covering northern Thailand, combined with southwest and southeast winds bringing moisture into the region. The public is advised to protect their health due to rising temperatures by avoiding prolonged outdoor work or activities, and to be cautious of dangers from thunderstorms and strong winds that may occur in some areas.

For the southern region, heavy rain is expected in some areas due to strengthening east and southeast winds covering the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region, and the Andaman Sea. Residents in the southern region should be aware of dangers from heavy rainfall during this period. Furthermore, from May 6-8, 2569, the southern region will experience increased rainfall with heavy rain in some areas due to an easterly wind wave covering the lower southern region. The public should remain cautious of heavy rainfall dangers.

Wave heights in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea are expected to be approximately 1 meter, with heights exceeding 2 meters in areas with thunderstorms. Fishermen should exercise extra caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Air quality in northern Thailand during this period will range from good to moderate due to rainfall in some areas.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6:00 PM today to 6:00 PM tomorrow:

Northern Region: Hot daytime conditions with extremely hot weather in some areas, featuring thunderstorms in 10% of the area and strong wind gusts in some locations, primarily around Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Tak, and Phetchabun provinces. Minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 35-40°C. Southwest winds at 5-15 km/hr.

Northeastern Region: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 10% of the area and strong wind gusts in some locations, primarily around Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mukdahan, and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces. Minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 34-38°C. Southeast winds at 10-15 km/hr.

Central Region: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 10% of the area and strong wind gusts in some locations, primarily around Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya provinces. Minimum temperature 24-26°C, maximum 37-39°C. Southern winds at 10-15 km/hr.

Eastern Region: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 20% of the area and strong wind gusts in some locations, primarily around Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Minimum temperature 25-28°C, maximum 34-38°C. Southern winds at 15-30 km/hr. Seas with wave heights approximately 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (Eastern Coast): Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 30% of the area and heavy rain in some locations, around Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla provinces. Minimum temperature 24-27°C.