UNICEF Thailand Announces Blue Star Gala 2026 in Bangkok

• UNICEF Thailand has announced the Blue Star Gala 2026
• The event aims to address child malnutrition and promote healthy eating
• The event will feature four women leaders and Michelin-starred chefs from Thailand and abroad

The Athenee Hotel Bangkok will be the location of the UNICEF Blue Star Gala event taking place on 6th March, 2026.

The purpose of this gala is to raise funds for child malnutrition and healthy food options through the KinRaiDee #HungryForHope Campaign. There will be advocates present for equal access to nutritional food as well as increasing awareness related to child nutrition.

The gala will be chaired by four prominent members (Nualphan Lamsam, Busadee Chearavanont, Marisa Chearavanont, and Thapanee Techajareonvikul) working alongside other leaders from business, philanthropy and culinary communities to create an emphasis on children's nutritional needs and well-being.

At this event, there will be eight internationally recognized chefs present who collectively boast an impressive 12 Michelin stars (Chefs Chudaree Debhakam, Chumpol Jangprai, Napol Jantraget, Saki Hoshino, Prin Polsuk, Sachin Poojary, Namae Shinobu, and Cho Hee Sook) showcasing a variety of dishes utilizing foods with high nutritional quality.

Ken Legins (UNICEF Representative – Thailand) said, “Child malnutrition continues to be a serious issue with a large number of children being simultaneously impacted by both under nutrition and the growing number of children who are overweight or obese.”

He pointed out that by holding this event, he hopes to “raise funds to continue our nutrition programs and also educate everyone on their shared responsibility to ensure that all children are receiving adequate nutrition.”

Data from UNICEF shows that “13per cent of Thai children less than five years old are stunted, and in the last twenty-five years the number of overweight children has doubled.”

According to projections by the World Obesity Federation, “If immediate action is not taken, 60per cent of all 5-19 years old (Thai) children will be overweight or obese by 2035.”

Nualphan Lamsam, who is a sponsor of the Gala states that “The intent of this project is to inspire others to take action to improve children's nutrition as this will have positive impact on their health, their ability to learn and their future.”

Donations will be used for UNICEF's nutrition initiatives in Thailand and in those countries where there have been significant crises, as well as for KinRaiDee's #HungryForHope activities to promote healthier food choices and stronger policies regulating the marketing of food products to children.