Summer Crisis: Kidney Stone Cases Surge; Doctors Warn Office Workers Are Primary Risk Group

Compiled by Soha Online News Team May 3, 2025

According to international reports, intense summer heat is driving a continuous rise in kidney stone cases, particularly among office workers who are becoming the primary victims of this disease.

The warning comes from Dr. Tran Cong The Luong, a urologist at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital at Hanoi National University. He identifies low water consumption as a key factor accelerating kidney stone formation. Office workers in air-conditioned environments often don't feel thirsty, leading to insufficient fluid intake and rapid stone development.

Recently, a 33-year-old office worker required emergency treatment for severe lower back pain. Despite working in a cool, air-conditioned environment, months of consistently low water intake allowed large kidney stones to accumulate in his body undetected. This case serves as an important warning for those neglecting urinary tract health during hot weather.

Doctors explain that summer significantly increases kidney stone risk because the body loses water through perspiration to regulate temperature. As body water decreases, urine becomes more concentrated, causing substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid to reach high levels and crystallize into stones more easily.

Office workers are particularly vulnerable since they stay indoors with air conditioning all day, rarely sweat, and don't feel thirsty. Doctors emphasize that even in air-conditioned rooms, the body continuously loses water silently. Waiting to feel thirsty before drinking is a serious misconception, as by then the body may already be dehydrated, forcing the kidneys to work harder.

Beyond low water intake, summer consumption habits are another critical factor. Sugary soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and excessive red meat and salty foods all increase the concentration of stone-forming substances in urine.

In early stages, kidney stones often show no clear symptoms until a stone shifts and blocks the urinary tract, causing severe cramping, burning urination, or hematuria. However, many people mistakenly attribute these symptoms to fatigue from hot weather, delaying treatment and risking serious complications like kidney failure or infection.

To prevent this disease, doctors recommend adequate water intake as the simplest and most effective kidney care method. Drink more than 2.5 liters daily, distributed throughout the day to keep urine dilute.

Office workers should keep a water bottle nearby and set reminders to drink every 30 minutes.

Additionally, modify eating habits by reducing salt intake and avoiding sugary and alcoholic beverages.

If you experience chronic back pain or urinary abnormalities, seek prompt diagnosis. Modern endoscopic technology now allows doctors to treat kidney stones efficiently, with faster patient recovery and reduced long-term complication risks.

Source: SOHA

A sweet moment and congratulatory post! Great Warinthorn has cleared up the mystery of who the girl beside him is, after social media erupted in speculation about whether the young actor was introducing his girlfriend. After young actor Great Warinthorn posted a photo on his story with a girl by his side saying "she likes this genre of music" and covering the girl's face with an emoji, social media users were left wondering if he was announcing a new girlfriend. Today (May 3, 2026), Great Warinthorn posted his own clarification revealing that the girl in the student uniform is none other than actress Charlette Wasita Hameneao.

The actor congratulated Charlette on her graduation project, jokingly calling out her mother about the short skirt while expressing how impressed he is with her growth and happy to be part of the project. In his post, he wrote: "Congratulations to Miss Wasita Hameneao on your graduation project!! @charlettewasiiita Mom! Check out that skirt @mayocharlie__mama Sometimes I feel like she's grown up so fast! Happy to be part of this project. I wanted to come watch it myself yesterday and maybe snag some credits. Hope she gets to do the work she loves. Always supporting you, sis!"

Comments flooded in with praise for Charlette's rapid growth and talent, while people teased Great about how he posted the story to create buzz. Comments included "She's so pretty," "How did you post this story to make social media freak out," and congratulations to @charlettewasiiita, with people noting how much she's grown since appearing in Six Sense until now.

Another Couple Calls It Quits: On Duangprom Announces Separation from Ex-Husband Tam Vichiya via Social Media, with All Photos of Her Ex Removed from Instagram. The news surprised many when On Duangprom, wife of young actor Tam Vichiya Charulin, publicly announced through her social media that she has now separated from her ex-husband. On stated: "I want to inform everyone that I have separated from Tam (my ex-husband) for quite some time now. This was a mutual decision made with understanding, and we are each moving forward with our own lives. I want to thank all my friends and loved ones who have stood by me and given me encouragement throughout this time. I truly appreciate you." Notably, numerous friends have come to offer their support, and from On's Instagram account, all photos of her ex-husband have been completely deleted.

On May 3, 2025, Ekwaranyu Amrapan, spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and assistant to the Bangkok Governor, issued a clarification following the appearance of social media images showing candidates for Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) positions gradually unveiling campaigns using green-toned graphics similar to Governor Chatchatchai Sittipan's branding. Multiple inquiries had been received asking whether Governor Chatchatchai was directly backing these candidates, as some used imagery, colors, slogans, and elements resembling the governor's previous campaign. "I want to clarify that Governor Chatchatchai is currently serving his term and has never publicly endorsed any BMC candidate. This is to maintain propriety, neutrality, and impartiality while performing his duties as Bangkok Governor," the spokesperson stated. "Candidates using green colors or the name 'Chatchatchai' may do so out of confidence in their ability to work effectively with the governor." However, no authorization has been granted to use the governor's name or image for campaigning purposes. The administration urged the public and media to follow official channels for accurate information, including the official Facebook pages of Chatchatchai Sittipan and the "Team Chatchatchai" page for official updates. Those interested in urban development work are also encouraged to follow the "Work Work Work Bangkok" network.

The Internal Trade Department, working with the Consumer Protection Police, has seized a total of 6,656 uncertified weighing scales from two online operations in Nonthaburi and Roi Et provinces. Officials have warned merchants and consumers that using scales without official certification marks is illegal and subject to criminal penalties and fines. All certified scales must display official seals and QR codes for verification.

On April 29, 2569, officials inspected a storage facility in Rai Thiao subdistrict, Thai Noi district, Nonthaburi, where uncertified scales were being stored and sold online. They discovered 4,471 uncertified spring and digital scales. On April 30, officials inspected another facility in Dong Dang subdistrict, Chaturat Phak Triphim district, Roi Et, and found 2,185 uncertified digital scales being sold through online platforms. Both online shops lacked proper business licenses.

According to Deputy Director-General Yanee Seemunee, uncertified scales pose serious risks to commerce. Using non-standard scales can result in inaccurate weight measurements, unfair transactions, improper price calculations, and damage to supply chain trust and overall business confidence.

The department urges businesses to use only certified scales bearing official certification marks. Penalties for selling uncertified scales without proper business licenses include up to one year imprisonment or fines up to 40,000 baht, or both. Selling scales without certification carries penalties of up to six months imprisonment or fines up to 20,000 baht, or both.

Legally certified digital scales must display an official seal indicating they have passed inspection and include a QR code sticker for transparent verification of certification status. Officials conduct annual accuracy inspections and attach annual verification stickers. Scale businesses can obtain business operation licenses at the Central Weights and Measures Office or provincial branch offices, with application forms available on the Internal Trade Department website (www.dit.go.th). The department reaffirms its commitment to continue these enforcement efforts.

At 10:40 a.m. on May 3, 2025, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Headquarters radio center received a report that a suspect in a drug possession case had escaped while being transferred from Mae Ping Police Station in Chiang Mai. The suspect fled toward the scrubland behind the station. All units were alerted to set up checkpoints throughout Chiang Mai. Shortly after, Mae Ping Police Station reported the suspect had been recaptured and was back in custody.

A reporter visited Mae Ping Police Station where they met with the sergeant who had been escorting the suspect and personally pursued and recaptured him behind the station. Speaking while visibly exhausted and sweating, the sergeant revealed that the suspect, identified as Mr. Chai (surname withheld), age 30, was facing drug possession charges filed on May 1, 2025. Today, investigators had ordered the sergeant to escort him to Chiang Mai Provincial Court for detention. While the suspect was handcuffed and being led from the holding cell, he bolted toward the scrubland and waterway behind the station.

The sergeant pursued him, noting that his prior experience with that type of terrain helped him successfully apprehend the suspect. Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Yanuphon Pattanachai of Mae Ping Police Station ordered investigators to file an additional charge of escape from custody. Investigators noted that the suspect was only facing minor charges and they were surprised he attempted to escape. Further questioning is ongoing to clarify the circumstances.